Wokingham.Today for August 5, 2021 by Wokingham.Today

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Grassgate: ‘Aggressive’ grass is to blame for problems

Thursday, August 5, 2021 No. 323

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EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today GRASS CUTTING across the borough has been “below standard” the borough council said.

The borough council has called on contractor Tivoli to improve its performance, asking for an action plan to improve work. Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “The service that Tivoli has provided has been below the standards we and our residents would expect. “We have been working with Tivoli to improve this, however this has been unsuccessful. “The issue has been escalated and we have specified that they need to provide a fast and permanent solution to fulfil the obligations of the contract.” He said the council will be regularly monitoring the service to ensure swift progress. Spencer Rock, Tivoli’s chief operating officer, said he is proud of their partnership with the council, and is committed to delivering a quality service. “We acknowledge our grass cutting performance isn’t where we’d expect it to be at this stage,” he said. “Unfortunately, this season has proven undeniably difficult so far. “Firstly, we’ve seen an unprecedented grass growth rate — around 60% more aggressive than last year. “The flush experienced in late May and early June is the most extensive we’ve seen in 20 years.” n Continued on page 2

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Fears plan could lead to another 250 houses FARM TO HOME: Wokingham Borough Council wants to build 87 homes and a SEND school in Winnersh Picture: Jess Warren

EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today WINNERSH councillors are opposing housing plans at Winnersh Farm, claiming it would act as a backdoor to a 250-home Taylor Wimpey development.

Cllr Paul Fishwick, chairman of Winnersh Parish Council, and Lib Dem councillor on the borough council, said it was sneaky of the borough council to submit the plans during the summer break.

“People might be away on holiday at the moment,” he said. “It’s annoying.” He fears the plan for 87 homes next to the newly-approved SEND school on Winnersh Farm will act as a back door to a bigger development. “The Taylor Wimpey application for 250 homes has been rejected once, and withdrawn once,” he said. This was mainly due to objections about access to the site, which would currently be via Maidensfield, a close in Winnersh. He is concerned the borough council is unlocking access for Taylor Wimpey by creating a new

entrance point off Woodward Close. This, he said, could mean the national developers can get permission to build if they reapply. “It could come back quickly,” the councillor said. “The Conservative administration is allowing this to happen.” If it were to return, it could mean up to 500 homes will be accessed via the Woodward Close junction on Reading Road. With more than 160 households already living there, combined with two schools, an 87-home development n Continued on page 16

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WOKINGHAM.TODAYThursday, Thursday, July August 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 22,5,2021

St Paul’s hosts a mouse hunt

ECO: Cllr Sarah Kerr has become accredited as a Green Liberal Democrat Picture: Wokingham Liberal Democrats

Lib Dem goes green

WE COVER WOKINGHAM BOROUGH

VISITORS to a Wokingham church were pleased to find mice everywhere. But these weren’t pests, they were woolly creations conjured up by the A WOKINGHAM councillor has talented members of a Mothers’ Union. earnt her green status. The animals wereLiberal dotted around the Cllr Sarah Kerr, Democrat churchyard for andEvendons building of St Paul’s councillor ward, Church in Reading Road forasfamilies has become accredited a Green to find, before enjoying refreshments Liberal Democrat. in the rooms. It isparish an associated organisation The event on Saturday was, according within the main party, with a goal to Teri Austen,ana environmental joyous occasion. to promote “We didn’t know if the weather approach to policy. would ideal,but was all climate okay,” she Cllrbe Kerr is the itparty’s said. “We were very emergency and airpleased. qualityIt was just

spokesperson at the borough council. She said she was delighted with the official title. “I am an avid environmentalist and have spent a large amount of my time since being elected in 2019 on policy development both locally and nationally to tackle the environmental threats we face,” she said. “I also put aside time to educate

really nice to do something with the community again. “People came along and said they really enjoyed it, and asked if we could myself further on the subject to do it every year. We said weideas are and ensure I can base policy consideringcouncil it.” scrutinise and government The children were able to take reports on facts, evidence andtheir the mouse homepragmatism.” as a souvenir of their hard necessary work. Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the It wasn’t theLiberal only event at the church: Wokingham Democrats, on Sunday, the congregation said accredited members gathered of the in the grounds to enjoy hymn singing with Green Liberal Democrats have to Pimm’s and other refreshments. demonstrate, through an interview, “It’s been a goodthe weekend, ” Mrs that they uphold values of Austen said,through “and thetheir weather was kind.” the party everyday

actions and as campaigners. “With the support of colleagues, Sarah has successfully campaigned on getting particulate air quality monitors and no vehicle idling zones into the borough which will both be installed this autumn,” Cllr Ferris said. He said she has also championed a car club strategy and green walling at schools. Cllr Ferris said Cllr Kerr is calling

on the borough council to declare an ecological emergency and take action to improve nature. She also has a focus on developing safe cycling and walking routes, and retrofitting homes, Cllr Ferris said. “Sarah has been working hard for our community on climate and air quality issues, as well as helping shape our local and national party’s

approach,” Cllr Ferris said. “We are so pleased that her hard work and dedication to the cause has been recognised.” Cllr Kerr said she was grateful to her colleagues and environmental groups and activists who provided a “sounding board” for ideas. “Collectively we can make Wokingham borough green to the core,” she said.

‘Aggressive grass is a problem’ In print

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FIND THE MOUSE: Stfront Paul'spage Mothers Union held the hunt on Saturday afternoon FAMILY TIME: Harry, 3, on the Mouse Hunt with the help of mum, Sarah Holmes Pictures: Steve n Continued from “There is also a nationally recognised shortage of labour for many sectors including grounds maintenance, which has impacted the contract heavily,” the chief walk]. But it's gotten worse struggling with regular walking or cycling routes to of the issues in the area,” Cllr operating officer said. EXCLUSIVE Jorgensen added. “They inconsiderate parking — also get them safely to school. since the lockdown.” Mr Rock apologised on behalf Mr Rowland said some have worked closely with He is urging parents to on the weekends. By JESS WARREN and said they are of the company, Parking on dropped curbs footpaths had been installed the council’s active travel “get back on their feet” and jwarren@wokingham.today rectifying the situation as quickly My Journey walk to school with their and double yellow lines can in fields, to help families on team, as possible. Wokingham on their travel be enforced by the borough their journey. children. INCONSIDERATE parking Labour Cllr Shirley Boyt, plan,andwhich contains 75 This includesUNKEMPT: a pathThe parks He believes it would help council, and Cllr Kerr said a has returned along councillor for Bulmershe and verges with long grass resolve some of the number of fines have been linking Viking Field with initiatives to encourage Evendons Lane, Whitegates saidprompting residentsadeserve walking or cycling to Sears handed out in recent residents of the Conservatives call for parents to get out of frustration“And Jones, Liberal Democrat Cllrweeks. Boyt saidLeslie she was toldPlaying by CllrField. Cllr Clive second, better. “There is a network of school.”for the environment, are way toothere manywould be lane have. their spokesperson Batth an “all-singing, have caused a national“There labour Shecars.questioned why close The raised schoolthe also wonwith the footpaths Evendons, not considering it’s webpage Cllr Sarah Kerr, Liberal aparents For the last four years, said his party issue all-dancing” for around residents shortage by inflicting hard Brexit monitoring of progress was not Modeshift Award people could use them shethis said. councillor nuisance parking been the council months Regional ago. to find information. country.” for a residential area,” happening before,hasbut said Democrat the on this for Tivoli’s being the bestwas in too the more,” hebreath,” said. she “But thehad answer “Iisn’t justholding Evendons, She saidsaid onenumerous person residents an issue raised by blame He said apology am not my borough council could not at should encouraging Cllr Paulineevery Jorgensen, fines.” missed complained an appointment Wokingham Town and caused late, andborough the company have promised to her about the length said. “This has been the contractor for problems to walk,weather cycle and executive for pupils that2014. this month, after Evendons Neighbourhood earlier of changeable in year since Residents member really expected grass across the area. She is concerned by the Governement. highways adding more deserve restrictions on their Action said chair Ken being Britain. scoot to school. better than this.” at the borough “The problem is not just the “We Group, know why the strategy has blocked-in The councillor council saidlast sheyear, is aware of alonggrowth, the entire She lanesaid willin November driveway. Rowland. He suggested the firmsaid wasthey too cutting not keeping up with failed,” she said. the issueplanned and sympathises just “move the Where With on its also profit installed margin anda the problem borough council to focusedhave it isEvendons that until Lane the announcement “It is because pandemic the contractors, temporary chicane with nearby residents. questioned elsewhere”. meets Finchampstead Road, were restrictions easing, have Mr been whether thereoutside were of weather, last Friday, residents not kept tackle challenges like many businesses, to control speeds, She said in the the council is the “Evendons Primary a short road Rowlandhitsaid parents are there enough staffschool and machinery for the and machinery ofrunning what was going on,” staffing doubly by the incompetence of is informed deter through traffic and School is excellent parallel,she withsaid. a dead end. driving their children to First, job. pandemic. at developing controls to deter “They don’t know whether the Conservative Government. provide better experience poor parking at the end of sustainable Also their referred a encouraging EvendonsthePrimary Schoolinto the “I have no aconfidence it will She said the same review areato isasbehind schedule, allowing Delta variant forAugust,” peoplehe walking and Evendons in in transport,”for she said. “But it’s banjo, it provides a safe more andand more. said. promised to ensure TivoliLane had aandchange missed by mistake or designated country, allowing it to spread Row. also need Tanners space for residents at the stage where he said, to cars turning re-wilding. The cycling. councillor said he would clearwerecruitment timeline, by This, unlocking tooleads quickly. She said placed several “The school an like to the which boroughusingcouncil whose homes line blocking see plaques in the Government Kickstarthas also “This is its notlength. a new problem “Tivolidriveways. workers who have been residents took excellent record intoterms of of Evendons involved.” Cllr Kerr said she would “You’re always to doing front wildflower spots, to ensure connections is why I have been pushing for the scheme and agency self-isolating havegoing been part in with a mowers walking encouraging good travel She believes see double yellow get people rushing about residents and those in providesome cover during the pandemic. of up to date information the right thing to try andinstoplike the to provision consultation, which be from their hand, staff know are “forced into lines on this stretch, as families the carand — this theyhas don’t give made whether to keepwill or cut “Clearly this behaviour strategy has failed,” to residents, including at the last spread obviously a Boyt lack said. of and students and are aware livingmeeting.” here are cars” due to Cllr themselves time [to residents them. used to inform any changes. council it harder forenough the contractor.

‘Get out of your car and walk’

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Families flock to pick your own EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE growing season is about three weeks behind schedule due to the weather, but a popular Wokingham pick-your-own farm says it is now seeing people flock to its crops.

Grays Farm in Heathlands Road has been a staple of the borough for many years and its 65 acres are perfect for a socially distanced activity in the great outdoors. Visitors can check in with the farm shop, which has a oneway system in place, and collect baskets to pick a selection of crops, including strawberries, raspberries, potatoes and cabbages. They are asked to wear masks and use hand gel as well. Owner Peter Gray said the venue is popular for families. “A high proportion of people bring their children with them and they thoroughly enjoy the outing: a couple of hours in the sun and at the end they’ve got first class fruit and vegetables to eat for their dinner,” he said. “There’s no food miles and no question about where the food came from. “Fresh is the best.” The farm has planted 10 miles of strawberries, which will keep it going until at least 2025. For now, it’s open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturdays. n www.graysfarm.co.uk

ABOVE: Peter and Elizabeth Gray with some of the wide range of fruit and vegetables available at Grays Farm RIGHT: Catherine, 6, and Charlotte Whitney, 2. All pictures: Steve Smyth

Police release efit of man following sexual assault A TEENAGE girl was sexually assaulted in broad daylight last month. Now, Thames Valley Police has released an efit in a bid to catch the offender. The incident took place around 9.20am on Monday, July 19, at the junction of Silverdale Road and Lakeside. Police said that the teenager was chased by her attacker who then lifted up her skirt and touched her. He then ran off in the opposite direction. The efit image shows a white male of average build and approximately 5ft 7ins tall. He was wearing a black T-shirt, speaks with a local accent and may have a stutter. Investigating officer, PC Rory Wells, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I am appealing for anyone who recognises the individual depicted by this e-fit to please come forward. “Anyone with information can contact police by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43210320014. “Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”

FAMILY TIME: Michael and Zoe Blackburne with sons, Fraser, 5, and Cameron, 7, enjoying picking strawberries

Joseph becomes mayor YOUNG people in Wokingham are being represented by one of their own. Joseph is the town’s mini-mayor, and will be in the role for the next year. He visited the Town Hall last week to try the ceremonial robe. Joseph will accompany town mayor Cllr Tony Lack on official engagements throughout the municipal year. Schools within the town boundaries are invited to nominate two pupils for the honorary position. PICTURE: Wokingham Town Council

Council hunts for town centre designer BIDDING has opened for the design of two developments in Wokingham town centre. The borough council is looking for a team to plan a mix of one- and two-bedroom affordable homes on council-owned sites, to be completed in 2023. The first development will be on Wellington Road, on the corner at the junction with Station Road. And the second is the redevelopment of Suffolk Lodge.

The designs should be carbon net zero, in line with the council aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Although the services for both projects are tendered together, companies are invited to

approach one, or both. A contract will be awarded for each site. The deadline for applications is Friday, September 10. n For more information, email: sarah.morgan@ wokingham.gov.uk

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4 | NEWS

Three in four paramedics fear for safety on the job THE MAJORITY of paramedics in Wokingham and beyond have felt threatened while at work, according to a new survey. The College of Paramedics has revealed nearly three quarters (72%) of those working in the South East have feared for their safety while on duty - slightly higher than the national average (70%). The report also found nearly half (49%) of those surveyed have been physically abused on shift, while four out of five (80%) have faced verbal abuse. The findings come one month after NHS England found paramedics saw results rise by a third (33%) in the past five years. Tracy Nicholls, chief executive of the College of Paramedics, said: “We have long been aware of the physical and verbal abuse that paramedics suffer and the toll it takes on their health and wellbeing – but this is the first time that a largescale survey of this kind has revealed the extent of the problem.” She said paramedics go above and beyond to support the vulnerable. “It’s absolutely outrageous to think that so many paramedics have been abused whilst carrying out their duties,” Ms Nicholls added. “Worryingly, the abuse appears to have increased during the pandemic when paramedics are already exposing themselves to greater personal risk.” And she is concerned it is affecting medics’ mental health, as nearly all (89%) of those surveyed said the abuse directly impacts their health and wellbeing. The College of Paramedics will now form part of the NHS Health and Wellbeing team to provide further support to paramedics in the South East and beyond.

Don’t go site seeing warning A DEVELOPER is urging Wokingham residents to steer clear of construction sites this summer, in a bid to keep children safe. David Wilson Homes Southern has launched a series of videos for primary school-aged children to teach them about avoiding hazards when out and about during the holidays. Campbell Gregg, managing director of the housing developer, said: “Developers like ourselves are building more new homes at sites all over the country, but until they are completed these places can be dangerous. “Now restrictions have eased and we’re able to venture further afield, children should be told to stay away from construction sites. “While we do watch out for youngsters during the day and secure our developments at night, we would like to ask parents to ensure the safety of their children during the holidays, especially if they live near an active building site.”

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

Charity launches Park Yoga in Wokingham town centre FREE: Classes run on Sunday morning in Howard Palmer Gardens Picture: Park Yoga

EXCLUSIVE By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today A NEW YOGA class has proved to be a hit with Wokingham locals as it welcomes more people each week.

Park Yoga, a charity-funded organisation that aims to promote yoga outdoors for everyone, has made its way to the borough thanks to Wokingham-based instructor Richard Welch. The free classes, which began on Sunday, July 25, will be running every Sunday until mid September. Taking place at Howard Palmer Gardens, sessions will be from 9.30am to 10.30am for people to enjoy the fresh morning air. With 13 participants in the first week, Mr Welch was pleased to have 28 people join him last Sunday and hopes the numbers keep on rising. He said: “Everyone who came along to our morning session had a brilliant time, the enjoyment people got out of it was great and it was lovely to see a wide range of ages join. “Realising the whole mental wellbeing of yoga really was a life

changing moment for me, for how I breathe and manage myself during the day, and I want to pass my knowledge and love for yoga onto other people through these free outdoor classes” Mr Welch said he was particularly impressed with the children who took part saying it was lovely to have a mixture of people there. “We are a very inclusive group

and even if you’ve never done yoga before, just come along and see what it’s all about,” he said. “We focus on relaxation and mindfulness at the end of the class, how to use your breath to calm the nervous system down to release that stress, which is absolutely vital.” And you don’t even need to worry about parking as the Cockpit

Path Car Park is free on Sundays. Attendees should pre-register for free online. In the event of bad weather, everyone that has signed up will be emailed a link to a video session called Park Yoga Short so no one misses out that day. n For more details, visit parkyoga. co/wokingham or follow Park Yoga Wokingham on Facebook.

Doctor’s fears over sewage treatment By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today A LEADING medical doctor is worried about risks to his seriously disabled sister’s health from a sewage treatment system. Dr Henry Lupa, is complaining about plans to discharge the sewage system into a stream circling 22 homes. His sister is due to move into one of them. There’s anger at the homes in Bonhomie Court, Broadcommon Road, Hurst about the treatment system installed, without permission, for a new barn conversion house about 400 yards from their homes and gardens.

IT project manager Andrew Wilson was horrified to discover the end of the system’s discharge pipe installed, without his go ahead, over the waterway running through his garden. A planning application has now been made for the wastewater treatment plant at Grange Farm, Islandstone Lane. Twelve Bonhomie Court residents had raised objections to planning permission being given yesterday. The deadline for comments to Wokingham Borough Council is today (Thursday). Dr Lupa, who is chief medical officer to QinetiQ plc defence and security company and an expert advisor to the General Medical Council, said in his objection: “I, as a Trustee, purchased the property within the last month in Trust on behalf of my seriously disabled sister, who has yet to move into the property

CONCERN: The outlet pipe in Hurst in Bonhomie Court with her live-in carer. “The location was selected so that she could sit in her wheelchair and enjoy her garden which backs directly onto the stream. “Unfortunately, this stream could soon be potentially contaminated and thus pose a significantly higher risk to her health due to the immunosuppressive medications she needs to take. “I am hence very concerned that in the event that this application is passed, we may have inadvertently

moved her to a property that is likely to impact on her longer term health. “Notably, and of grave concern, is that Wokingham Borough Council did not declare that that this may be happening during any of the very recent searches conducted by our solicitors, which would have influenced our decision to purchase at this time.” Resident Valerie Tester objected saying: “With a serious lung condition, this installation will cause me to have rethink my living conditions here at Bonhomie Court. How disgraceful is that!” Mr Wilson who has been campaigning against the system lodged his objections. This week he told Wokingham.Today that the council should not have approved the barn conversion without knowing and approving details of how sewage would be dealt with. Neither Wokingham Borough Council or the application’s agents, mm3 Design, had replied to the residents’ allegations as we went to press.

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DOMESTIC ABUSE: New provider assumed it would take Women’s Aid sites says CEO

Cranstoun has no refuges yet EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today SURVIVORS of domestic abuse could be struggling to access refuge support in Wokingham borough, more than a month after Cranstoun took over the council’s support service.

This is according to Andrea West, CEO of Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA), who said there is still no sign of a refuge from Cranstoun on Routes to Support, a national refuge database. Cranstoun, which specialises in perpetrator intervention, took over Wokingham Borough Council’s contract for domestic abuse on Thursday, July 1. In May, it was announced the charity had won the £1.5 million tender from BWA, which had been working with the council for 18 months prior.

‘This is unjustifiable’ A spokesperson for the borough council said Cranstoun is working towards establishing refuge support in the area, suitable for men and the LGBTQ+ community. But Ms West said the charity assumed it would take BWA’s women-only centre. Now, she is concerned survivors of domestic abuse are not able to get the help they desperately need. “It was very clear in the tender

who managed our [refuge] building and who it belonged to,” Ms West explained. “It’s a building that we lease so after we lost the tender, there was no obligation for us to hand [it over].” The CEO is worried that more than a month into the new contract, the only refuge in Wokingham borough is one provided by her charity at no cost to the local authority. “An integral part of the tender was to deliver refuge services,” Ms West continued. “How can Wokingham Borough Council justify Cranstoun not offering this? It’s hugely disappointing for us to be told that service isn’t being provided.” According to Wokingham Borough Council, residents can still access three refuge spaces locally, thanks to BWA’s facility. “The refuge centre remains unchanged and is available for victims who need access to safe, emergency accommodation,” a spokesperson said. They said Cranstoun is also working on a range of “more enhanced” refuge spaces. “By identifying and adding new refuge provisions, this will increase the availability of local help, thus reducing the barrier for men and other victims (LGBTQ+) seeking help for domestic abuse,” they added. “It also means that there will be more than double the amount of local refuge provision for domestic abuse victims, providing them with additional support.

“The council will actively continue to improve support for domestic abuse victims and proactively look for opportunities to increase safe, refuge spaces.”

Is the council fulfilling its duty?

The charity CEO questioned whether the lack of refuge service means Wokingham Borough Council is fulfilling its duty as a local authority. Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, local councils in England must assess the need for support in their area, including the demand for “safe” accommodation. They must also “commission support to victims of domestic abuse and their children” who are living in refuge centres. Wokingham Borough Council is currently consulting with residents and organisations following the new Act. A spokesperson said: “We have expanded our consultation to enable us to refresh our Domestic Abuse strategy and set our action plan for the next year. “In line with Government guidelines, funding decisions linked to the new duty will be made following consultation.” Its domestic abuse strategy will be published by the end of October. According to BWA, Cranstoun was notified in early May that it had been awarded the new domestic abuse contract.

As part of the tender process, it had to demonstrate how it would get services up and running for the start of July.

‘We’re picking up the pieces’ Now, Ms West is urging Cranstoun to clarify what steps will be taken next. Her charity is continuing to provide safe accommodation for women after she said demand increased three-fold during lockdown — but BWA’s refuge is currently full. “If Cranstoun didn’t check with Wokingham Borough Council [about the refuge], that was an error made in the tendering process,” she said. “But moving on, what are they going to do about it now? It astonishes me that a month in, they’re not providing the services we need and we are picking up the pieces with no support from the borough council.” A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said those living in Wokingham can access support through its homelessness team. “[They] will discuss options available and work alongside the individual, be they male or female victims, to access safe accommodation,” they explained. “The Homelessness team as well as Cranstoun can access national databases to identify suitable refuge accommodation.” Cranstoun was also contacted for comment.

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NEWS | 5

Neighbourhood crime top focus for national plan NEIGHBOURHOOD crime is one of the top priorities in the prime minister’s Beating Crime Plan. Unveiled last week, the also focuses on antisocial behaviour and making communities safer. Thames Valley’s PCC, Matthew Barber said he knows the huge impact crime can have on people’s lives. “I welcome the support of the Government in seeking to tackle the issues that matter most to the public,” he said. “Concerns over antisocial behaviour, car crime, burglaries and the responsiveness of the police to local issues really matter to communities here in Thames Valley.” Mr Barber said police recruitment is going well in the region. He added: “When the public need the police they want to know they will receive the appropriate response, so continuing to monitor and further improve the response to 999 and 101 calls and online contact is important to ensure public confidence, not just by driving down the time taken to answer calls, but also to improve the quality of service provided to the public. “I am committed to deliver safer communities across Thames Valley and the measures set out in this plan will help Thames Valley Police and our partners to tackle neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and drug crime.”

Domestic abuse consultation FOLLOWING the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Wokingham Borough Council has launched a consultation on its draft Domestic Abuse Strategy for 2021-2024. Executive member for neighbourhood and communities Cllr Bill Soane, said the council wants to be “on the right track”. It ends on Friday, August 20. n To take part, visit: bit.ly/ WBCAbuseConsultation

6 | NEWS

PCC funds project to reduce abuser reoffending rates MORE THAN £18,000 has been pushed into a new project aiming to reduce reoffending in abusers. Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, has given the money to the force to work with the Hampton Trust on its Cautioning and Relationship Abuse (CARA) project. It is aimed at lower risk, alleged first time domestic abusers who will attend two workshops roughly a month apart. The workshops will cover the impact of behaviour on others, including the victim and any children. There will also be advice on accessing other services, such as substance misuse. Sessions will also deal with feelings of shame, anxiety, anger and remorse. Mr Barber said the project is an important part in his police and criminal justice plan. “The CARA project, delivered by the Hampton Trust, has the opportunity to make a real difference in reducing reoffending among domestic abuse perpetrators,” he said. “This is an exciting project which has the potential to protect victims, and reduce crime. “I am pleased to be able to support this project and, in turn, keep our communities safe.” Detective Chief Inspector Jon Capps, force lead for domestic abuse, said they are exploring all opportunities to protect victims, reduce re-offending and prevent future harm to others. “Further details about the project will be published in due course, including eligibility and implementation dates,” he said. Caroline Freeman, Project CARA national lead for The Hampton Trust, said: “CARA has a proven track record of reducing domestic abuse re-offending by enabling people to access support and intervention earlier before abusive behaviour escalates and causes severe harm to victims and children.”

Bus group hires media man READING BUSES has made a dynamic new appointment but don’t ask him to get behind the wheel – he can’t drive. Tom Broadfoot, 34, has joined as the company’s new marketing and PR executive and brings with him 15 years’ experience of media content creation. “I’m really excited to get to work at such a vibrant and forward-facing organisation,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working closely with our community to make sure people have pride in the service we provide. Away from buses, Mr Broadfoot enjoys the theatre and kayaking, but not at the same time.

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Citizens Advice hunts for new recruits across the borough EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today CITIZENS ADVICE Wokingham is on the search for help as it expands.

The borough-wide charity is looking for 25 more volunteers, who can support some of the most vulnerable in the community, said chief executive Jake Morrison. It comes as the organisation prepares to open its Woodley office and become involved in the new charity hub in Wokingham town centre. Mr Morrison said he is proud of his team, who have seen a 129% rise in callers since the pandemic began. “Every day, our staff and volunteers do their best to support our clients,” he said. “We help people across the borough to find a way forward with their problems. “Our volunteers are on the frontline — they answer calls, build trust and confidence with people across our communities and help unpick their issues to identify next steps.”

He said over the last 18 months, the charity has focused on signposting people to the right support via its One Front Door service. “I am so proud of our team, we have answered over 95% of all phone demand throughout the pandemic, arguably the toughest period in our charity’s history,” he added. “We are one of the highest performing offices in the country. “Now we are asking for more volunteers to consider joining us, as we aim to re-open our Woodley office, and look to play a key role in the Wokingham Town charity hub which will be based in the building we are currently in.” Mr Morrison is looking for volunteers for phone and in-person services. “Please consider attending one of our open days online, hearing more about our great team and the training that is on offer,” the chief executive added. Nicky Phull, training manager at the organisation said the role is best suited for residents that want to

make a difference in other people’s lives. This includes advising on benefits, debt and employment, and helping others increase their employability. She said the charity can offer seven hours of volunteering each week. This can be spread across one or two days. During the last year, the charity has helped 5,830 people with 17,710 issues. Mr Morrison said his team expects high demand to continue, wants to prepare by having enough people on hand to help. Volunteer Lorna Hunter-Smith, whose name has been changed, said she initially joined the charity to gain work experience, after a few years as a full-time mother. But she has stayed longer than anticipated. “I have continued for the past eight months because I am truly honoured to be in a position to offer help to people,” she said. This can take the form of a listening ear, advice on where to get information, help with debt and

support referrals. “I am humbled every time and amazed by how much difference Citizens Advice makes in people’s lives and I am proud to be here,” she said. Another volunteer, Jacob Hunt, whose name has also been changed, said his proudest moment was reaching an £8,000 discrimination case settlement 20 minutes before a hearing was due to start. “My proudest moments are when I assist clients in achieving positive outcomes in their employment disputes with employers who disregard employment law and procedures,” he explained. Mr Hunt also helped one client increase their redundancy settlement by £43,000. He said he volunteers to give back to the community, keep his brain active and be part of a team of like-minded people. n For more information, or to register interest in volunteering, visit: citizensadvicewokingham. org.uk/volunteering or email: volunteer@ citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk

Students exhibit their artwork A HUMAN chrysalis, beautiful landscapes and a whole host of animals were on show in Bracknell and Wokingham College last month. A range of works were hosted at the campus on Church Road in Bracknell as part of Activate Learning’s Art, Photography and Media Exhibition, to showcase students’ end of year artwork. An array of different styles were showcased, from painting and photography to sculpture and costume design. Dylan, who is currently studying a Level 3 Art and Design diploma at the college, said it was great to take part in the show.

“We got to see everyone’s art and progress during this year,” he said. “It was nice to be able to come together and show each other and the wider college community, what we’ve all done. “Taking part in the exhibition has helped me to learn how to lay out my work in a way that is presentable and helps to catch the eye of the viewer.” Jay, who just finished his studies, said the event helped the class see how their styles had developed. “It’s caused me to be more vulnerable and put yourself out there which is really good” he said.

ON SHOW: Picture: Bracknell and Wokingham College “It’s also nice to hear the feedback. “Everyone’s art is so individual and everyone’s got their own take on it and reflects their creativity in different ways and different mediums so there are no two pieces the same and that is really exciting.” Jay Allen, visual arts and design lecturer at Activate Learning, said it was lovely to see students rising to the challenge of putting the entire showcase together, too.

Coffee shop opens A NEW COFFEE shop has opened in Reading. Coffee Under Pressure welcomed its first customers at Broad Street Mall last month. It serves a range of speciality teas, coffees, homemade cakes, sandwiches and salads. With another branch in Bristol, the company was included in the 50 best coffee shops in Englands and has won several awards.

“It’s been a fantastic year, even during the difficulties with the pandemic,” he added. “[The students] all worked really well together, displaying their chosen work. “We are all really proud of them all, they have all worked so hard throughout the year and created some fantastic artwork which is on display, highlighting their talents and chosen styles.” “We’re delighted to be opening our fourth coffee shop and we hope that visitors will enjoy relaxing in our space with our extensive range of hot drinks and food on offer,” said owner Nasos. It is the latest addition to Broad Street Mall as part of its ongoing redevelopment scheme. Nicola Williamson, general manager at Broad Street Mall said it is a fabulous addition to the shopping centre. It is open foom 9am to 5pm.

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HAVE A BALL: Parents step in to organise end of year dance for Oakbank

Parents host pub prom

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EXCLUSIVE By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham. today

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YOU SHALL go the the ball. Forget the fairy godmother, parent power has saved a Shinfield secondary school’s prom.

Oakbank school was originally due to host its Year 11 prom on Wednesday, July 14, at Trunkwell House Hotel. Due to covid, the staff at Oakbank decided to cancel the event without offering an alternative date to the students. Now, some parents have taken matters into their own hands and decided to lead the prom themselves. Helen Snell, Emma Clapham and Maria Dyball secured The Black Boy pub as their chosen venue to host the celebration. Taking place on Wednesday, September 1, students will be able to dance the night away. Mrs Snell said she wanted to organise the prom because the students had missed out on so much over the past 18 months. She said: “This will be the last time they’re all together before college and they have already had a lot cancelled because of covid, so we wanted to put this together

tĞ ǁŝůů ŐŝǀĞ ǇŽƵ ƵŶůŝŵŝƚĞĚ ƚĞůĞƉŚŽŶĞ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ƌĞŐĂƌĚŝŶŐ ĂŶǇ ĚŝƐƉƵƚĞ ƚŚĂƚ ǇŽƵ ŵĂǇ ŚĂǀĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƐƵƉƉůŝĞƌ͕ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚŽƌ͕ ĐŽŵƉĂŶǇ Žƌ ƚƌĂĚĞƐͲ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ƐƉĞŶĚ ĂƐ ŵƵĐŚ ƚŝŵĞ ĂƐ ŝƐ ŶĞĞĚĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ǇŽƵ ƌĞƐŽůǀĞ ĂŶǇ ĚŝƐƉƵƚĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚŽƐĞ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ͘ >ŝŬĞǁŝƐĞ ŝĨ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ĚŝƐƉƵƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŶĞŝŐŚďŽƵƌ͕ ĨƌŝĞŶĚ Žƌ ĨĂŵŝůǇ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ǁĞ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ ǇŽƵ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ŽƵƌ ĂƌďŝƚƌĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŵĞĚŝĂƚŝŽŶ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ͘

ORGANISERS: Maria Dyball, Emma Clapham and Helen Radford have planned a prom for Oakbank School pupils at The Black Boy, after the school cancelled its end of year event Picture: Steve Smyth so they can have fun and enjoy being together before they all leave school. “We’ve had so many parents offer their help already, with one dad doing the music, someone else sorting out the balloons, and lots are donating things to help piece the party together.” A red carpet will be rolled out for photogrpahs. Although almost half of the pupils have already agreed to attend, Mrs Snell is hoping to reach out to more of the students so the whole

year can be included. She added: “The school isn’t able to advertise this for us but we really want to make sure that every child in the year knows about it and comes along.” All parents at the prom are DBS checked with a first aid trainer present on the night. James Newman-Webb, general manager at The Black Boy, said: “We are more than happy to help our community with this special prom and are so happy that children are now able to celebrate

Ofsted praises council HIGH PRAISE was given to Wokingham Borough Council’s children services after a recent Ofsted visit. Carried out remotely, inspectors looked at social workers’ practices and outcomes for children. It looked at a range of information, including case audits, records and holding case discussions with social workers. Ofsted said it saw a vast improvement since the last inspection two years ago, with “considerable advances in the quality of social work practice and outcomes for children.” Recognition was given for the compass team, a specialist service launched in June last year for children on the edge of care, to help keep families together. Inspectors said the service reacted quickly to pandemic

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challenges, with staff able to adapt to remote working. The inspector praised the relationship social workers had built with

parents and children. Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, said he is “delighted” with the outcome of the Ofsted visit.

the end of their very difficult school year. “We are very much looking forward to seeing all the children enjoying themselves and hope they enjoy a well deserved celebration at The Black Boy.” Entry is via ticket only, and is only for the school’s Year 11 students. Tickets cost £15 and include food and drink. n Any Year 11 Oakbank students who wish to attend are asked to email oakprom21@hotmail.com

He said: “I am proud of the team for delivering such a good service to safeguard the children of the borough and demonstrating such a vast improvement since the previous visit two years ago,

especially during a global pandemic, is a huge achievement.” He said safety and wellbeing of children is a key priority for the council. n For more details, visit wokingham.gov. uk

tĞ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ǇŽƵ ǁŝƚŚ ŚĞůƉ ĂŶĚ ĂĚǀŝĐĞ ƌĞůĂƚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĂŶǇ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ ǇŽƵ ŵĂǇ ďĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌŝŶŐ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ǇŽƵƌ ŚŽŵĞ͕ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ Ă ŽŵƉĂŶǇ ďĂĐŬŐƌŽƵŶĚ ĐŚĞĐŬ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƵƉƉůŝĞƌ͕ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ĂĚǀŝƐĞ ǇŽƵ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌŝƐŬ ŝŶ ĚĞĂůŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƐŽŵĞŽŶĞ ǁŚŽ ŚĂƐ ũƵƐƚ ŬŶŽĐŬĞĚ ŽŶ ǇŽƵƌ ĚŽŽƌ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ĂĚǀŝƐĞ ǇŽƵ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ǁĂǇ ƚŽ ŵĂŬĞ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŐŝǀĞ ǇŽƵ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚŝŽŶ͕ ǁŚĞƚŚĞƌ ǇŽƵ ĂƌĞ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐŝŶŐ ŚŽŵĞ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ĐĂƌƐ ŽŶ W W ĨŝŶĂŶĐĞ͕ Žƌ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌŝŶŐ ĂŶ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚ͕ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ŐŝǀĞ ǇŽƵ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ ǇŽƵ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ŬŶŽǁ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ĐŽŵŵŝƚƚŝŶŐ ƚŽ Ă ůĞŐĂůůǇ ďŝŶĚŝŶŐ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚ͘ ůů ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ǁŝůů ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ Ă ĐŽƉǇ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŽƵƌ KΖƐ ŶĞǁ ďŽŽŬ Η ĞǁĂƌĞ ŽĨ ^ĐĂŵŵĞƌƐ Ͳ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ WƌŽƚĞĐƚŝŽŶ ,Žǁ ƚŽ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ǇŽƵƌƐĞůĨΗ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ŐŝǀĞ ǇŽƵ ŽŶĞ ǇĞĂƌƐ ĨƌĞĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ĚŝŐŝƚĂů ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ ůŽŐ ďŽŽŬ͘ dŚĞ ,>^ WƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ >ŽŐ ŽŽŬ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ƵƐĞĚ ƚŽ ƌĞĐĂůů ĞǀĞƌǇ ĚĞƚĂŝů ŽĨ ǇŽƵƌ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ͕ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ŝŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ǁŚŝƚĞ ŐŽŽĚƐ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĞ ǇŽƵ ůĂƐƚ ŚĂĚ ƚŚĞ ƐĞƉƚŝĐ ƚĂŶŬ Žƌ ĐĞƐƐƉŝƚ ĞŵƉƚŝĞĚ͕ ĐůĞĂŶĞĚ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞĚ͘ /ƚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ƵƐĞĚ ƚŽ ĨŝŶĚ ŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ĚĂƚĞƐ ǇŽƵ ŚĂĚ ƚŚĞ ǁŝŶĚŽǁƐ ĨŝƚƚĞĚ͕ ǁŚĞƚŚĞƌ ƚŚĞǇ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞǇ Ɛƚŝůů ƵŶĚĞƌ ŐƵĂƌĂŶƚĞĞ͕ ǁŚŽ ƚŚĞǇ ǁĞƌĞ ĨŝƚƚĞĚ ďǇ͕ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ĨŝƚƚĞƌƐ & E^ ƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌĞĚ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĂƌĞ ũƵƐƚ Ă ĨĞǁ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƚŚŝŶŐƐ Ă ĐŽŶǀĞǇĂŶĐŝŶŐ ƐŽůŝĐŝƚŽƌ ŶĞĞĚƐ ƚŽ ŬŶŽǁ͘ dŚĞ ,>^ WƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ >ŽŐ ŽŽŬ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ Ă ĐŽŵƉƌĞŚĞŶƐŝǀĞ ƌĞĐŽƌĚ ŽĨ ǁŚĂƚ ŚĂƐ ƚĂŬĞŶ ƉůĂĐĞ Ăƚ Ă ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ ĂŶĚ ǁŚĂƚ ŚĂƐ ŐŽŶĞ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ Ăƚ ƚŝŵĞ ŽĨ ďƵŝůĚ͕ ƌĞŶŽǀĂƚŝŽŶ Žƌ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ͘ /ƚ ŚĞůƉƐ ŽǁŶĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƚĞŶĂŶƚƐ ƚŽ ďĞ ŵŽƌĞ ĞŶŐĂŐĞĚ ĂŶĚ ďĞƚƚĞƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĞĚ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŚŽŵĞ͕ ĞŶĂďůŝŶŐ ƚŚĞŵ ƚŽ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƌĞĐŽƌĚƐ ŝŶ Ă ƋƵŝĐŬĞƌ ŵŽƌĞ ĞĨĨŝĐŝĞŶƚ ǁĂǇ ƚŚĂŶ ďĞĨŽƌĞ͘ tŚĞƚŚĞƌ ǇŽƵ ĂƌĞ Ă ŚŽŵĞŽǁŶĞƌ Žƌ Ă ƚĞŶĂŶƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ,>^ WƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ >ŽŐ ŽŽŬ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ƉůĂƚĨŽƌŵ ĨŽƌ ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƌĞĐŽƌĚŝŶŐ ĞŶĞƌŐǇ ĂŶĚ ƵƚŝůŝƚǇ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͕ ŝƚ ǁŽƌŬƐ ĂƐ Ă ĨĂŶƚĂƐƚŝĐ ƌĞŵŝŶĚĞƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĨŽƌ ŝŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ƌĞŶĞǁĂůƐ͕ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĚĂƚĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƐŽ ŵƵĐŚ ŵƵĐŚ ŵŽƌĞ͘ dŚĞ ƐƵƉĞƌď ĨƵŶĐƚŝŽŶĂůŝƚǇ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚ ŝƐ ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ƚŽ ŶŽŶĞ ĂŶĚ ŝƚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ƵƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ǁĂǇƐ͗ DĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ ƵƉ ͲƚŽͲĚĂƚĞ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ ƌĞůĂƚĞĚ ƌĞĐŽƌĚƐ͕ WƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ĂŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĂĐƚŝǀĞ ŚŽŵĞ ƵƐĞƌ ĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͕ ^ƚŽƌĞƐ Ăůů ůĞŐĂů ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ ƌĞůĂƚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ͕ WƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ƌĞĂů ƚŝŵĞ ƵƉͲƚŽ ĚĂƚĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐŝŶŐ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞƐ͕ /ŵƉƌŽǀĞƐ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ͕ DĂŬĞƐ ĐŽŶǀĞǇĂŶĐŝŶŐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ ĞĂƐŝĞƌ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ ĞĨĨŝĐŝĞŶƚ͕ ^ĞĞ Ăůů ŽĨ ǇŽƵƌ ŚŽŵĞ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ĚŽĐƵŵĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ ŽŶĞ ƉůĂĐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ĞĂƐǇ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ĂŶĚ DĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ Ăůů 'ƵĂƌĂŶƚĞĞƐ ŝŶ ŽŶĞ ƐĂĨĞ ƐĞĐƵƌĞ ƐƚŽƌĂŐĞ ůŽĐĂƚŝŽŶ͘

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8 | NEWS

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PARISHNOTICEBOARD Meetings may also be online – contact councils for details Thursday, August 5

Shinfield Parish Council. Planning and Highways. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish. gov.uk

Tuesday, August 10

Sonning Parish Council. Council meeting. 7pm. Sports Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Pound Lane RG4 6XE. www. sonning-pc.gov.uk Swallowfield Parish Council. 7.30pm. Parish Office, Swallowfield Street, Swallowfield RG7 1QX www.swallowfieldpc.gov.uk Woodley Town Council. Planning. 7.45pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley RG5 4JZ. www.woodley.gov.uk

Wednesday, August 11

Shinfield Parish Council. Finance and General Purposes. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Committee. 7pm. Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Thursday, August 12

Wokingham Borough Council. Wokingham Borough-wide Traffic Regulation Order - On-Street Parking Restrictions Amendment No. 4, Executive - Individual Member Decisions. 5.30 pm Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Monday, August 16

Shinfield Parish Council. Full council meeting. 7.30pm. Mitford Close, Three Mile Cross RG7 1AT. shinfieldparish.gov.uk

Tuesday, August 17

Winnersh Parish Council. Planning committee meeting. 7.30pm. Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Sindlesham RG41 5DU. www.winnersh.gov.uk

Wednesday, August 18

Finchampstead Parish Council. Planning Committee. 7.30pm. FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. www.finchampstead-pc. gov.uk

Tuesday, August 31

Now taking registrations

Woodley Town Council. Leisure services. 8pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley RG5 4JZ. www.woodley.gov.uk

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

FROMTHECOURTS A TILEHURST woman who rampaged through a hotel and assaulted a police officer has been ordered to undertake 60 hours of community service. Hannah Claire Burrowes, 36 and from Poole Close, was at the Cantley House Hotel on September 20 last year, where she damaged a door and broke glasses belonging to the venue and worth £260. She then beat a police officer on the same day. In addition to the community service, Burrowes must pay compensation of £100, £85 costs and £95 to victim services. At the same sitting she pleaded guilty to harassing a man by sending him messages between the hours of 5am and 6.30pm on June 6 last year. A MAN who has been found guilty of assault must undertake 100 hours of community service. Atilla Apaydin, 38 and of Beke Avenue in Shinfield, pleaded not guilty to the attack, which took place on March 29 last year. However, he was found guilty by Reading Magistrates Court when they heard his case on May 28. He was ordered to pay costs of £775, £90 to victim services and is not allowed to contact his victim, directly or indirectly, or another address, prior to May 27, 2023. Apaydin may pay back at a rate of £100 per month. DRIVING while disqualified has

seen an Arborfield man ordered to undertake 40 hours of community service. Adam Kovacs was stopped by police in Berkeley Avenue in Reading on February 22 this year. They also found that he did not have appropriate insurance in place. The 22-year-old from Faraday Close pleaded guilty when he appeared before Slough Magistrates Court on May 28. In addition to the community service, Kovacs was fined £170, ordered to pay costs of £85 and £95 to victim services. His licence has been banned for eight months. A LOWER EARLEY man who attempted to run a taxi without a licence has been ordered to pay £2,000 costs. Harpreet Singh Pandher, 41 and Tinsley Close, was stopped in Friar Street, Reading on September 1, 2019. Officers found that he solicited persons to hire a vehicle to carry them as passengers. Pandher had pleaded not guilty at a hearing on February 21 last year, but was found guilty by Reading Magistrates on June 1. He was fined £400 for this offence.

He was also guilty of failing to wear a driver’s badge issued by West Berkshire Council (fined £150), failing to show it when requested (fined £250) and provided a false address to a council officer (fined £250). Pandher must also pay £105 to victim services. He can pay back at a rate of £100 per month. A HENLEY woman has been given a 26-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £2,500 after her dog attacked a fellow customer in a Sonning hotel. Emily Craig, 28 and from Abrahams Road, was in the Coppa Club on August 4 last year when her dachshund cross caused an injury to a fellow diner. Magistrates ruled that the dog was dangerously out of control and ordered Craig to pay £2,500 compensation. The dog was to be put down unless Craig lodged an appeal. In addition to the suspended jail sentence, Craig must undertake 100 hours of community service, and pay £85 costs. A WOKINGHAM man has been sent to jail for 20 weeks for assaulting two people by beating. The incident took place in Reading on January 26, 2019. Umar Mahmood, 31 and from Davy Close, was not present at Reading Magistrates Court on June 2, when they proved his case.

He was also guilty of racially/ religiously aggravated harassment on one of his victims and failing to surrender to bail. Mahmood was ordered to pay costs of £775 and £100 compensation to his first victim and £100 to his second. A LOWER EARLEY man who failed to provide a blood specimen for police officers has been ordered to undertake 120 hours of community service. Curtis Michael Kroczak, 31 and from Kensington Close, was stopped by police in Wokingham on August 29 last year. In addition to his unpaid work requirement, Kroczak was banned from driving for 36 months. This will be reduced by 36 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. He must also pay £416 costs and £95 to victim services. Kroczak was also guilty of failing to appear at the court on December 17 last year. A WOODLEY woman has been fined for driving without insurance. Iwona Danuta Mrowka, 32 and from Howth Drive, was stopped in Little Marlow on April 1, 2019. She pleaded guilty when she appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on June 4, and was fined £230, ordered to pay £85 costs and £30 to victim services. She was also banned from driving for 14 days.

‘We need to do more for the birds and the trees’

Fun is an essential ingredient at Oak Tree Day Nursery and Preschool where the care and education opportunities for each and every child are as extraordinary as our colleagues who provide them. FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS

Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Courts in recent weeks

EXCLUSIVE OPEN 7.30AM TO 6.30PM

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM resident is calling for more respect for the people and environment.

RATED OUTSTANDING IN THE PAST THREE OFSTED INSPECTIONS

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Please call 01189 733231 or email oaktree.nursery@childbase.com Oak Tree Day Nursery and Preschool, 13 Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4QD

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU www.childbasepartnership.com

Last month, Ralph Tebby said he was disturbed through the night when Vodafone contractors dug up part of the cycle path outside his home. Mr Tebby said the work, which took place at 1.30am in the morning, should have been dealt with in the daytime. “It was totally unnecessary,” he said. “It shouldn’t have been done overnight.” Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, the time slot was chosen to minimise disruption on the A road. Mr Tebby questioned why the work wasn’t organised before the new cycle path was installed. But Cllr Jorgensen said the council did not know about it until recently. When the ground was dug up, Mr Tebby said contractors threw the old tarmac into bushes. He only discovered it on his litter picking patrols for

STREWN: THe surface was thrown into hedges Picture: Ralph Tebby the Adopt A Street. “It was thrown with such force it damaged the hedging,” he said. After contractors cleared the dumped surface, Mr Tebby said it looks a lot better, although there is “a large piece” that was missed. Cllr Jorgensen said the council will inspect the area

for any loose tarmac and ask Vodafone to return to remove it if there is any. A spokesperson for Vodafone apologised to nearby residents and said they are fixing it as soon as possible. This includes a permanent fix to match the standard of the existing path, Cllr Jorgensen said.

NEWS | 9

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Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

‘New homes plan will see village grow by a quarter’ COUNTRY WAYS: Hurst Village Society is against plans to build 300 homes on land in the village Picture: Sue Corcoran

EXCLUSIVE By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today HURST Village Society has pledged to strongly fight the ‘nightmare’ of up to 300 new homes being built in its community.

But earlier this week the society had yet to announce whether to take part in a controversial opinion feedback scheme being run by the plan’s promoters, Mactaggart and Mickell. Hurst Village Society (HVS) chairman Jo Newbold said: “We are going to decide on that.” The Protect Hurst Action Group urged its members not to take part, alleging: “The way the questions are posed Mactaggart and Mickel WILL take all responses as a positive response to this proposal and use it to promote their application.” But Conor Roberts of Mactaggart and Mickel denied that saying: “We have been very clear from the outset that residents’ feedback will not be construed as support for the proposals, and in no way will the mere fact that they have provided feedback be interpreted as a positive response to the proposals.” Mrs Newbold said up to 300 new homes would be an absolute nightmare, taking away the village’s community feel. She said HVS would strongly fight planning permission being given. Hurst already had 876 homes: 300 more on the Tape Lane/Lodge Road field

would add 34% more, she said. “That’s a crazy amount for a village of this size. We’re a rural village sandwiched between Wokingham and Twyford and we want to keep it as it is for as long as possible. “From what I can see there hasn’t been any support for this proposal, nobody wants it. Building 300 homes would be an absolute nightmare for us,” she added. She was concerned about the vehicle entrance off Lodge Road to the homes. “We already have a traffic and speeding issue in Hurst: HVS is trying to pull together a strategy with Wokingham Borough Council to see what can be done. “Even with some amendment to Lodge Road, possibly a roundabout and crossings, that in no way mitigates the effects of over 600 [extra] cars on the roads around Hurst.” Mactaggart and Mickell’s website says Hurst is suitable for more homes because of its primary school, post

office, bus service, sports and recreation grounds. There are also roads to surrounding areas and Twyford and Winnersh Stations are reasonably close. They say 300 homes was likely to create about 150 car trips in each peak period, 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm. These trips would spread across local roads, reducing the effect at any one junction. Numbers of trips were likely to be: to Winnersh and Reading, 23 trips; to Wokingham via the A321, 72; to Bracknell via Forest Road, 33; to Twyford 22. Traffic consultants would assess if traffic created would mean road improvements were needed. Mactaggart and Mickell wanted to promote sustainable travel and would see if the current bus service could be improved. Their plan aimed to encourage walking and cycling. They hope to ask Wokingham Borough Council for planning permission in the autumn. Once Wokingham Borough Council receives permission applications they seek residents’ views on them.

DONATION: Tesco’s Louise Jedras with Walter Infants’ headteacher Judy Wheeler

Tesco’s grant helps schools TESCO Wokingham has donated £1,000 to two schools in the borough. The superstore gave the money, via its Community Grants scheme, to Bohunt Wokingham and Walter Infant School. The secondary school will use the money to buy outdoor equipment. The infant school is investing in wooden furniture, including a wishing well and benches, for its playground. Louise Jedras, community champion at the Finchampstead Road shop, said she was pleased to donate to two superb schools. “They do incredible work for so many children in the community and thoroughly deserve any assistance we can provide,” she added. This summer, the shop is also running its Buy One to Help a Child scheme, which gives meals to

children through national charity, FareShare. For every piece of fruit and vegetables bought until Sunday, August 8, the shop will make a donation. Ms Jedras said demand for food banks is higher than ever before. “The Buy One to Help a Child scheme is really important,” she said. “Every child – and every adult – needs a good healthy meal, and we hope our customers will take the opportunity to try some new fruit and vegetables at the same time as supporting the campaign.” Shoppers can nominate a charity or organisation for the grant scheme. “It is an excellent opportunity for those groups that do such amazing work for us all locally, to get a little bit of financial support to help them achieve their aims,” she said. n For more information, visit: tescocommunitygrants.org.uk

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10 | BUSINESS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

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Airports for the future THE SOUTH East will lead the way to recovery for the nation’s airport towns, according to Thames Valley Berkshire. The Local Enterprise Partnership (TVBLEP) said business leaders from across the south have asked for clarity on post-pandemic borders. An event organised by Catalyst South, a group of Local Enterprise Partnerships, brought representatives from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted together to discuss covid’s impact on airport towns in the area. MPs, councillors and business leaders also attended. According to TVBLEP, the summit saw leaders call for continued support for the aviation industry and to “open borders sensibly” so communities can recover from lockdown. Catalyst South will bring together

a task force to determine what support the airport towns need to encourage jobs and growth. Mark Bretton, LEP network chair, said this is the “first step” to supporting the aviation industry and associated sectors. “By bringing the right people together to understand the local perspectives, we will have a greater collective voice which we can take to Government and the private sector to encourage the investment and interventions that are needed,” he said. This will be part of the LEPs’ role in the Government’s Plan for Growth and to ensure that the challenges faced in the region are recognised as part of Levelling Up. “The impact on towns in our region as a result of covid’s effect on airports cannot be ignored.”

Caring makes an Impact WINNER: Truston Tap has scooped an honour in the National Impact Awards

A BERKSHIRE care firm has been recognised for its work in the National Impact Awards. TrustonTap, which connects carers with older people across the county, received the award for the impact its digital platform has on people’s lives. The company, which stops people needing to go through a traditional care agency, was recognised for how its system improves wellbeing of clients and carers. William Cotton, founder of TrustonTap, which launched in Oxford six years ago, said he wanted to give more power to carers.

“‘I know from my own experience trying to find care for elderly relatives, how difficult it can be, especially when you don’t live close to your parents,” he said. “The challenge was to find a way to make it easy for families to find experienced carers in their local area, whilst bringing down the cost and still ensuring that carers are paid well.” Polly Alder, client services manager at TrustonTap, added: “The pandemic has been a very challenging time, but it has had one positive, which is to bring more recognition to the wonderful work carers do.”

AI heads to the Guru ARTIFICIAL intelligence is on the cards for a Bracknell-based firm, which has recently partnered with Google. Content Guru, which offers cloud communication services, has teamed up with Google’s AI scheme to improve its customer engagement work. Google’s Cloud Contact Centre Artificial Intelligence (CCAI) work will integrate with Content Guru’s Storm service to support intelligent chatbots and text-to-speech systems. Martin Taylor, deputy CEO at Content Guru, said he was delighted to partner with Google. “Our new partnership will make

it even easier for Content Guru’s customers to benefit from the use of AI technologies in their day-to-day contact center and customer engagement operations,” he said. “We’re excited to help more organizations boost their customer experience, improve employee engagement and save time using our cutting-edge solutions and integrations.” Dominique Pfeffer, Cloud Technology Partners lead at Google Cloud, added: “I am delighted to have Content Guru on board as a partner to help our customers transform their contact centers with cutting-edge AI capabilities.”

Muddy and proud: winners celebrate Stiletto success By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today BUSINESS is booming in Wokingham after six borough-based firms scooped up trophies at this year’s Muddy Awards.

Run by Muddy Stilettos, the annual awards ceremony recognises indie firms in counties up and down the country. There were 27 awards up for grabs in Berkshire this year, ranging from Best Bridal Store to Best Garden Designer. Here are Wokingham’s winners.

Best Beauty Salon The Colour Palette Salon, based in Crowthorne, was crowned victorious in the beauty salon category this year. It offers a range of treatments, including a hair and beauty salon and a brow bar, alongside its newly launched clothing line Rebel Kid. Owner Hardia Janse van Rensburg said she is feeling overwhelmed by everybody’s support following the award. “I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and every person that voted for [the salon],” she said. “You are all a part of the The Colour Pallette family and it feels incredible to know that all our hard work to constantly raise the bar has been recognised.”

Best Florist For beautiful bouquets, look no further than Sonning. Sonning Flowers won the Best Florist Award this year, and said it was a lovely surprise following a “whirlwind” 18 months for the industry. The florist, which launched in the borough but also runs a flower workshop in West Berkshire, supplies a range of

SURPRISE: Re-flection Wellness won best yoga/pilates studio in Berkshire in the 2021 Muddy Awards seasonal, hand-tied bouquets and vases for homes, offices, weddings and events. Heather Reilly, owner of Sonning Flowers, said: “We can’t believe it. “A huge thank you to all our wonderful loyal customers, brides and grooms and corporate clients who voted for us. “With restrictions on weddings eased, we are finally back doing what we love … and winning this award really is the icing on the cake. “I personally also need to say a huge thank you to the Sonning Flowers team … who have worked so incredibly hard over the last 18 months.”

Best Garden Designer Creative Landscape, which is based in Twyford and offers a range of gardening services, won gold in the garden designer category this year, too. Its team creates 3D views and planting plans for potential clients, organises decking and fencing, and runs The Big Plant Nursery on Wargrave Road. A spokesperson for Creative Landscape said: “We are thrilled to have won a Muddy Stilettos award and recognise all the hard work Rachel Jane and her team put

in to make these awards such a success. “We really value their support for local businesses. “We are of course very grateful to our lovely clients and everyone who voted for us for their ongoing support and loyalty.”

Best Interiors Store Twyford’s Victoria Willson-Copland is also over the moon after her firm Victoria & Co won the Best Interiors Store award. Ms Willson-Copland, who launched the shop in November 2020, said: “I was at a client’s house when I received the email to say we’d won the Muddy Stilettos award. “I got in my car afterwards and was beaming the whole way home. We’re so thankful and feel so grateful to everyone that nominated and voted for us. “The last year has been tough in the retail world but our lovely customers make everything so much easier.”

Best Local Food/Drink Producer

It’s been a bumper year for Stanlake Park Wine Estate, which won the Best Local Food/Drink Producer award shortly after being recognised in an international wine

competition. The Twyford-based estate, which is one of the oldest wine producers in England, offers vineyard tours and hosts events. Natalia Pezzone, general manager, said the latest accolade was a great honour. “It recognises our hard work and all the efforts that the whole team puts in every day,” she said. “An award like this is really a booster, and it fills us up with even more enthusiasm to keep making great wine and giving our visitors a fantastic wine experience. “We’d love to thank our amazing supporters, who so generously contributed their time to vote for us.”

Best Yoga/Pilates Studio For anybody looking to get fit, Re-flection Wellness has been crowned the best Yoga/ Pilates studio in the county. Based in Crowthorne, it runs aerial yoga, reformer pilates and interval training classes, alongside toning and personal training sessions with a team of 13 instructors. A spokesperson for Re-flection said they were speechless when they found out about the big win. “Winning a Muddy Award means the world to us,” they said. “We are so thankful to everyone at the Muddy Team for showcasing small businesses. “The past year has been very challenging and we have had to, like many others, pivot our business to keep our community together. “We would like to say a huge thank you to each and every person who nominated us.” n To find out more about the Muddy Awards, visit: www. berkshire.muddystilettos. co.uk/awards

Stars are shining again for Reading Buses READING Buses has relaunched its Star of the Month Awards — and the first round has seen a bumper crop of winners. The monthly awards ceremony was created to recognise employees and managers who have gone above and beyond to support customers in need. It was suspended due to covid and replaced with a

ceremony at the end of last year. Now, Reading Buses has announced its first winners since reintroducing the scheme. Awais Iqbal, from Reading, and Steve Saunders, from Calcot, were praised for taking swift action after a man collapsed from a seizure on the purple 17 route. While Mr Saunders rolled

the man on to his side and contacted the emergency services, Mr Iqbal stopped another bus to get passengers on their way. Caroline Anscombe, Reading Buses HR director, said: “This was a great team effort by Steve and Awais. “We are relieved that the customer was okay.” Christos Papachristodolou, who is also from Reading,

was nominated for Star of the Month after helping a visually impaired person use the bus for the first time. Jordan McKie, from Reading, was also nominated for consistently helping the control room team and drivers. n Customers can nominate employees for the next Star of the Month Awards at: www. reading-buses.co.uk/star

Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Woodley hairdresser reaches final round in national awards By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WOODLEY hairdresser has made the finals of the British Hairdressing Awards.

Marcus Giamattei from Marc Antoni hair salon group, is in the finals of the Southern Hairdresser of the Year category, as well as the Trend Image of the Year category. The latter is judged on four photos demonstrating technical and creative hairdressing expertise. The Marc Antoni Artistic Team has also been shortlisted in the Artistic Team of the Year category.

Mr Giamattei said: ‘We’re delighted to be finalists. It’s such an honour to be shortlisted alongside such incredible talent. “I’m confident that our photographic collections showcase our skills and imagination and I really hope that we are able to bring a trophy home to Marc Antoni.” The family-owned salon was founded in 1966, and now has locations across Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire. Winners will be announced on Monday, November 29, in a black tie event in London. Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive

director of the British Hairdressing Awards, said they recognise the best of hairdressing talent. “In reaching the finals, the Marc Antoni team have demonstrated that they are accomplished and gifted stylists with an impeccable eye for detail,” she said. “Every year, this competition gets tougher as the standard of entries improves and the team should feel incredibly proud to be recognised at this level.” FINAL CUT: Marcus Giamattei has made the finals of Southern Hairdresser of the Year Picture: Marc Antoni

Sumas search for street artist’s help By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook FC is looking for a talented street artist to transform a storage container at the club’s home ground.

The container, located at Emmbrook Sports and Social Club at Lowther Road, is in need of a makeover, and the club are hoping that a street artist will be willing to work their magic. The club would like the

container to be football themed and decorated in the club’s regcongisible orange colour. The Sumas’ first-team are currently preparing for a new adventure as the club were promoted to compete at step five, where they will play in the Combined Counties Premier Division North from the 2021/22 season. n Anyone interested can call the club’s chairman, Steve Williams, on: 07785 385762

MAKEOVER: The club is looking for an artist to style the container on Lowther Road

NEWS | 11

Charity host toy sale in Woodley town centre THE Me2Club is hosting a toy sale next week. The pop-up event will be on Wednesday, August 11, in Woodley town centre. It will run from 9am, selling games, crafts and soft toys. The charity hopes to raise £500, which will go towards its Pandemic Recovery Appeal. Throughout the last 18 months, the Me2Club finances have been severely hit. Liz McDaniel, fundraising development officer at the charity, said: “Emergency covid funds are no longer available, yet the demand for our unique and highly impactful support is continuing to grow. “The funds raised will enable us to continue to be there to support children, with wide ranging additional needs and disabilities, to safely return to the leisure activities they love, safely and confidently.”

Police numbers highest ever MORE THAN 250 police officers have joined the force in under two years. It means the Thames Valley now has more officers than ever before, overtaking the high in 2010. Almost half of the Government’s 2023 target to hire 20,000 officers has been met, with women making up four in 10 of recruits. Thames Valley PCC, Matthew Barber, said he wants to hire even more officers to focus on community crime. “The 269 extra police officers for Thames Valley will help to cut crime, keep neighbours secure, and reassure the law-abiding majority that they are safe,” he said. “These officers are only just the start and recruitment continues apace.” n To find out more, visit: tvpcareers.co.uk

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Health leader: More vaccines needed as third jabs planned EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THE HEALTH executive for Wokingham borough is calling on the clinical commissioning group to increase capacity for vaccinations in the area.

Cllr Charles Margetts said he is urging MPs to use their powers of influence to encourage Berkshire West CCG to increase the number of doses in the area. It comes eight weeks

after the borough council and CCG ran a mass vaccination campaign at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, in Woodley. The site jabbed more than 4,000 people during its week of operation. And these people are now ready for their second dose. “I’m deeply frustrated at the situation,” Cllr Margetts said. “We were in a good position with vaccinations, but the CCG is allowing that to slip away.” He said the group is

not increasing doses in Wokingham, but instead prioritising Reading and West Berkshire local authorities, which have lower vaccination rates. “Reading has one of the lowest rates in the country,” the councillor said. “They’re comparing us against some of the worst.” He said the borough council is prepared to provide the buildings and support staff to facilitate more centres but needs the CCG to bring the vaccines.

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“The CCG said its contractor is at capacity,” Cllr Margetts said. “They either need to take on another contractor or increase capacity. We’re in their hands — I hope they sort themselves out.” Cllr Margetts said he expects demand for jabs to remain high. This is because 18to 24-year-olds are ready for a second jab, over 50s will be invited for a third jab next month, and over 16s will be

DRUG TRIAL: Researchers are testing a drug to limit platelet function in the hopes of reducing fatal blood clots in Covid-19 patients

Our Magic Moments Club team ‘take the magic outdoors’ wherever possible and whatever the weather. Making the most of sunny days or April showers, our residents are encouraged to enjoy beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces. We also support our residents’ interests in nature and gardening or even just helping g them chill out with a cuppa whilst enjoying the view.

Throughout July and August, our residents are celebrating the Summer of Joy. As part of this, we are creating pocket gardens with beautiful plants, ſ flowers and POCK G ARD ET EN herbs to attract wildlife and create a sensory experience.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

University trials drug to reduce fatal blood clots DRUGS used to treat immune system problems could be used to reduce the risk of blood clots in covid patients, new research has found, writes Jess Warren. A new study of cells led by the University of Reading showed antibodies produced in response to the virus may be triggering blood clots in patients with severe disease. It was published in the journal Blood, and showed that the increase of platelets could lead to fatal strokes and heart attacks for some. The researchers found that it was possible to reduce or stop these clots by using medication to inhibit platelet function or immune responses. A trial led by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – called MATIS — is already testing these drugs in clinical

trials with patients across the country. Professor Jon Gibbins, director of the Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research at the University of Reading said: “Until now, we have only had assumptions about why platelets involved in clotting were being activated during Covid-19 infection. “One way to think of what is happening is that the immune response that is designed to protect you from the infection in some cases, particularly in severely ill patients, actually causes more damage. “In this case, the antibodies that are produced to stop Covid-19 from spreading trigger infected cells to induce platelet activity which causes clotting even though there is no wound that needs healing.”

Co-author of the paper, Nichola Cooper, reader at Imperial College London and consultant haematologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust also designed and is leading the MATIS trial. She said blood clots were a key reason for covid-related deaths in the pandemic. “Having been involved in early research around blood clotting related to inflammation, it occurred to me that the drugs we already use for other disorders could be easily accessible treatments for Covid-19,” she said. “We are yet to see results from the MATIS trial so we do not yet know how these drugs will work in patients, but our hope is that we can both inhibit the inflammatory response and prevent severe disease and blood clots.”

given doses, following an annoncement yesterday. In the meantime, the councillor encouraged all residents to continue to test regularly for coronavirus, via twice-weekly lateral flow tests. He said Public Health England believes the drop in cases could be due to fewer people testing. “The opinion is we have testing rates down by 15% to 10%,” he said. “It’s not enough to cause a problem, but covid isn’t over yet.”

Covid case rates stay above 200 THE RATE of infections in the borough is staying above 200 per 100,000. The weekly rate is now 241.9, down from 368.7 cases per 100,000 last week. And on Tuesday, August 3, there were 36 new positive cases. Neighbouring Reading borough now has 248.5, down from 366.5 cases per 100,000 last week. And it reported 42 new positive tests on Tuesday. Bracknell Forest reported 26 positive tests, and its rate per 100,000 is currently 246.4, down from 458.6 last week. Windsor and Maidenhead had 65 new cases on Tuesday, with its rate per 100,000 at 225.9, down from 357.3 last week. Slough reported 36 positive tests and its rate is 218, down from 278.2 last week. And rates in West Berkshire are 206.4, down from 334.5 last week. It had 49 positive tests on Tuesday. The national rate of infection is 279.5, down from 461.9 per 100,000 people last week. And on Tuesday, 21,691 cases were reported across the UK. In the past seven days, 6,003 people were admitted to hospital with the virus. And 731 on Tuesday. On the same day, there were 138 deaths in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test, and 542 in the last week, a 12% increase on the week prior.

Mass jab site opens at Broad St THE MASS vaccination site in Reading has been moved. Formerly at the Madejski Stadium, jabs will now be available at Broad Street Mall instead. The town centre shopping centre will be a key site for young adults to receive their second jab, as they approach the eight- to 12-week mark after receiving the first. The mall is reachable by car, bus and train. n For more information, or to book a first or second dose of the vaccine, visit: www.nhs.uk/ covidvaccine

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Families flock to horse fun day EXCLUSIVE By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today THOUSANDS of residents pledged their support to a Wokingham animal charity last weekend.

Around 3,000 people flocked to Cantley Park to join Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines’ (SAFE) Family Fun Day at Cantley Park. SAFE, which rescues abandoned horses and ponies found across Berkshire and Surrey and rehabilitates them by providing shelter, medical help and support, hosted the event to raise funds following the pandemic. Alison Stratford, charity trustee, said the number of people who visited was “astounding”. “We saw triple the number of people come through the gate than we expected,” she said. “It was very popular. “I was really blown away so thank you to all the community for coming and supporting us on what was a fabulous day.” At the event, which took place on Saturday, residents enjoyed a cake stall, musicians, a bar and a funfair. And it raised more than £15,000 — three times more than what Ms Stratford had hoped to generate. “It’s absolutely amazing and we are very, very happy,” she added. “We’re a small, poor charity and fundraising has been hard. “Now, the money will cover any outstanding vet bills and will bolster our bank account so we can continue rescuing horses.”

Eli Venning (3) having fun

Sophie (4) and mum, Carrie Kenworth on one of the rides at the SAFE Family Fun Day Picture: Steve Smyth

Joseph (10), Ben (12) and Mabel Gallagher (8) met Custard Cream the Burmese Python Live music was part of the day

Despite torrential downpours, the ice cream van was popular

Gastric Band performing

Copelan (1) and mum, Emma Matthews meeting the animals

Fundraisers from Daisy’s Dream

Backing for armed forces WOKINGHAM borough council has reaffirmed its support for the armed forces community, after announcing plans to achieve a prestigious award. At last month’s council meeting, it revealed it is working towards the Armed Forces Bronze Award employer status under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. It forms part of its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which was signed by the borough council in 2013, to encourage local authorities and the armed forces community to work together. Cllr Angus Ross, armed forces champion at Wokingham Borough Council, said Wokingham borough’s history with the military goes back generations. “We have around 1,000 serving armed forces personnel and veterans living in the borough, so we’re incredibly proud to be part of this Covenant,” he said. The Covenant aims to create support for the forces and raise public awareness for issues affecting the community, alongside helping members of the armed forces integrate into local life. Cllr Ross said: “Not only does it allow us to work closely with our local armed forces personnel to help give them the support they need, but it also allows us to benefit from their experience and come up with great initiatives to bring the community together.” Earlier this year, Wokingham Borough Council joined the newly formed Royal Berkshire Civilian Military Partnership, too. “The Board will act as a platform to address county wide issues and is a great opportunity for us to share best practice and ideas, as well as the opportunity for shared funding bids to help roll out new projects,” the councillor added. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support the armed forces community. For more information, search ‘armed forces’ on the borough council’s website.

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PHIL CREIGHTON reports from a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s executive on Thursday, July 29

COUNCILNEWS Leader: covid rates are ‘stubbornly high’ COVID rates are remaining “stubbornly high” according to the leader of the council. Cllr John Halsall shared an update on the borough’s response to the pandemic at the start of the executive meeting, held on Thursday, July 29. After a moment’s silence to remember those who had died as a result of Covid-19, Cllr Halsall said: “the pandemic is far from over and the lifting of restrictions does not mean the risks from Covid have disappeared”. He emphasised that the council had a duty of care to residents and wanted people to remain cautious, excerising their personal judgment to make choices that would protect people around them. As part of this, face coverings remain a must for people accessing council buildings, while one-way systems and good hand hygiene measures are still in place. Similar protections are in place in schools, businesses and care homes, Cllr Halsall added. He was also looking to the future: “We want to see people back out and about more. It is good for the community and good for our local businesses. But it is not supportive to risk spreading the virus,” he said. “Although hospital admissions remain low, this stage of the pandemic is critical because it is about learning to take personal responsibility and coming together as a community to cope with covid, while understanding that others will cope differently.” He wanted residents to encourage everyone to have two doses of the vaccine.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

“Please urge our minority groups to do so where there seems to be some vaccine hesitancy leading to health inequalities,” he said. “As we learn to live with the virus, we will continue to manage the risks in front of us and put our residents at the heart of everything we do. So please be cautious, be careful and be kind.”

Renewed calls for citizen’s assembly

FORMER Labour group leader Andy Croy once again called on the borough council to hold a citizens assembly to help achieve the net carbon zero goal by 2030. He said: “Leeds, Oxford and Camden Councils have all had successful Citizens’ Assemblies. Why is this council going to such lengths to rig the appraisal on consultations rather than simply opt for the most democratically legitimate and effective form of local engagement – a Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Emergency?” Responding, Cllr Gregor Murray, the executive member for resident services, communications and emissions, said that the council recognised the importance of community engagement for tackling the climate emergency, and that other councils faced different issues so the same approach wouldn’t work in Wokingham. “Local deliberative processes are a vital way of ensuring that gap is closed in a way that is palatable to our residents and to the needs of our climate emergency,” he said. Mr Croy, who lost his seat in May’s local elections, said: “You keep mentioning that we cannot make residents do things. The only way that we can get people to change their minds is by having a citizen’s assembly. None of the other processes will allow that. So, my

question is why do you not trust the residents of Wokingham borough to have a proper say in this most important issue?” Cllr Murray “fundamentally” disagreed and said he trusted residents so much he was prepared to ask them specific questions relating to the climate emergency. “If we did that as part of one massive climate citizen’s assembly, it would only be a minor factor in the time and effort that that group of citizens would be able to consider. They would have to look at a multitude of other things as well. What I want to do is break up climate emergency into a multitude of elements and do the most appropriate deliberative process for each element of it.”

Meat-free Mondays for school meals?

A CALL for schools to adopt meat-free Mondays and a daily vegan choice was made by resident Helen Palmer. She wanted the executive to consider changing the contract with caterers, saying for many pupils a school lunch was their only solid meal of the day and needs to be nutritious and balanced. “In the past it was believed that children needed regular meat to provide protein and iron, but research shows that lentils, beans and Quorn provide these and other nutrients in abundance and without saturated fat. Therefore, I am asking for a healthier menu, not an impoverished one,” she said. And she pointed out that meat had a big carbon footprint. By tweaking the menus, it would make a difference to the borough’s carbon reduction target. Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, agreed that it was important for school dinners to keep children sustained,

but it was down to the schools to make the decisions over the menus presented to pupils. “Schools do promote healthy dieting and now have much about climate control in their curriculums,” he said, promising to pass on her views to them. “Children today, like many other things, have a better awareness of these subjects than their parents and it is the children who will choose what they consume, hopefully healthily.” Cllr Prue Bray (Lib Dem, Winnersh) asked a similar question, and also asked for the council to reduce food miles where possible. Due to the way in which schools are run, councils can only make suggestions to them, Cllr Howe said in reply. Later in the meeting, the council approved a procurement process for school meal provision and kitchen maintenance, which will come into force from August next year. It would run until 2025, and could be extended for a further two years, at a cost of around £1.2 million per year. This replaces the current threeyear contract with Caterlink and the bidders must demonstrate they can reduce, reuse, recycle and recover waste in an appropriate way. The council will also be pushing companies to use local supply chains where possible.

Public health funerals

THERE has been just one public health funeral in Wokingham Borough within the past two years. Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth said she was surprised by this, and had had problems finding information on the council’s website towards this. “I was very concerned that I could not find any clear statements about the council’s responsibilities and how the bereaved can get support. This is likely to lead to our residents with the lowest incomes being unaware of

help that they are entitled to, and it falls well short of the Government’s guidance to councils,” she said, calling on the council to update its information. Cllr Charles Margetts, the executive member for health, welling and adult services, agreed with her, and said that Environmental Health handles assisted funerals. “We establish contact with the informer to see if the deceased has any relatives and if no relatives are found the Council’s Environmental Health will ensure that the deceased gets a dignified exit from this world. We are totally clear about that, and I am surprised that you have even asked this question,” he added.

Solar farm plans given approval

PLANS to convert pasture into a solar farm were approved by the executive meeting. It will cost £21 million and be funded from borrowing. It is expected to generate £12 million over 25 years once costs have been accounted for. Wokingham Borough Council must approve the project as it is more than £15 million. The farm will be in Barkham and is expected to be 36 mega watts. It will use solar panels on council-owned land and save more than 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Planning permission is expected to be lodged in September During the discussion, Cllr Charles Margetts (Con, Finchampstead) expressed satisfaction that trees would be planted to help screen the site from California Country Park. Earlier in the evening, Cllr Sarah Kerr (Lib Dem, Evendons) wanted to know why “prime agricultural land” was being used “against government advice”. Cllr Murray said that this was not the case if special circumstances

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COUNCILNEWS could be proven, and this could include “the wider environmental benefits associated with increased production of energy from renewable sources”. He continued: “The council cannot hope to reach carbon neutral within 10 years without making some difficult decisions and implementing some significant interventions; including the delivery of four solar farms with the potential to generate in excess of 20MWP under target 12 of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.” The meeting also approved planting 250,000 new trees, as part of the climate emergency action plan.

Surplus hopes

THE COUNCIL is hoping to end the current financial year with a surplus of £600,000 according to provisional estimates presented to the executive by Cllr John Kaiser. And the group voted to approve £31,500 funding for Tone of Voice project which it hopes will improve the way the council interacts with residents.

Investing locally

FUTURE investments made by the council would be local thanks to a new Community Investment Strategy. The change, approved by the executive, will ensure that property purchases will be within the borough. During the meeting, Cllr John Kaiser, the deputy leader, said that the change in emphasis was because the Public Works loans Board had changed its criteria. This meant the council would only consider local investment, or in partnership with another body if it would benefit the borough.

Procurement change A NEW procurement strategy was set up and approved by the executive. This aims to follow best practice when the council buys in goods or services. It will introduce a strategic procurement board charged with finding best value and quality when tendering contracts, monitoring the management of the contracts and informing future policy making. A secondary contract management support and learning working group will also be set up to provide support and guidance to contract managers, share best practice around contract management and draw on any lessons learned from procurements of major contracts.

Fit and proper test

A FIT and proper person must be appointed for each of the borough’s mobile home parks. There are 19 such sites in the borough and it is proposed that there should be an annual test to improve the standard of management of mobile home sites. New legislation meant that the assessments should be made by October 1. The application fee is based on a two-hour set fee of £59 per hour.

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PHIL CREIGHTON reports from a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s executive on Thursday, July 29

BAME forum not dead, just resting WOKINGHAM’S forum set up for black and minority ethnic residents has not been disbanded, it’s just not meeting at the moment.

At last Thursday’s executive committee meeting, three people asked council leader John Halsall questions about the council’s progress on equality, a year after he had mistakenly linked the Forbury Gardens terrorist attack with a Black Lives Matter protest earlier in the day. At the time, Cllr Halsall apologised and had since met with various parties to strengthen community relations. Liz Mayers said that she was one of 76 Wokingham residents who made a complaint about these comments, which Cllr Halsall made on social media. “The complaint was first mislaid, then mixed up with other similar individual complaints and generally mishandled,” she said. Cllr Halsall said that he disagreed, and the complaint had been dealt with appropriately. “I apologised publicly for any upset I had caused and sought to clarify my position. Personal letters were also sent to residents who had complained through the Member Code of Conduct process,” he said, adding that he had worked with residents, officers and members to educate himself on how the council can improve its approach to equalities. “My focus is to help create the architecture and culture within council and borough to make more meaningful progress in tackling inequality,” he said. Part of this was March’s presentation of the equalities plan and this was not a “hollow commitment to tick a box”, but was backed up with an action plan. “Diversity, equality and addressing need must be part of everything we do and the example we set. No rational person would take any other point of view and no responsible person would play politics with this issue,” he said. “Every one of our residents must be free to live the life they wish and flourish in our borough and I want to help ensure Wokingham Borough Council champions this.” Responding, Ms Mayers said the although she was invited to join the BAME forum “It was immediately suspended”. “Why have we been ignored?” she added. “If the officers have sent you a commitment to get engaged with you then I am sure they will,” was Cllr Halsall’s response. Kiran Nar asked a similar question about the ‘disbanding’ of the BAME forum, saying there was no team leading equality initiatives and “there has been no real commitment to understand the lives and experience of the non-white population of Wokingham”. “What are you really doing to foster good community relationships and eliminate racism in the borough?” he asked. Cllr Halsall replied by saying: “Why the overt concentration on the non-white community? The borough is interested in any of its residents who suffer prejudice or harm, with a view to mitigating, eliminating and repairing the prejudice or harm. “I have spent much of my life engaged in sport, both doing it and coaching. I feel genuinely sorry for sportsmen and women who do not do as well as they might but, hey ho, we did get to the

been disbanded, but the council is BAME forum has not therefore been final of the Euros which is quite an saying it is merely suspended,” she disbanded but in September last achievement. said. “At the same time the Forum is year the activities of the Forum were “We need to celebrate the positives independent of WBC and yet WBC is paused (to) consider issues which the and not dwell on the negatives. Well group identified as important and this saying the Forum won’t meet until done the England football team, all of after the WBC-sponsored consultation work is being progressed through a them.” is finished – whenever that will be. comprehensive review of its purpose He emphasised the council’s “It is a mess. It looks like a and objectives. The lack of external equality strategy and said that it had deliberate policy of kicking the issue visibility does not imply inactivity. appointed an interim equality lead into the long grass; this has worked so “The council is keen to support officer “who had a raft of expertise”, well that there is a real danger it will the continuation of ways to provide and an indpendent review of the not reconvene. a voice for ethnic minority residents, BAME forum would be complete by “I urge Cllr Batth, as vice chair, and as outlined within the recently the end of the year. to show some leadership and published Equalities plan and has “A key piece of early feedback from reconvene the Forum immediately so commissioned an external review of the consultants has been the broad as to reassure members and to bring the BME Forum, which is ongoing. ambition for the BME Forum being members up-to-date. There is no intention of discontinuing more independent and self-sustaining “The need of BME residents to have this initiative.” in the future, which will be factored a strong voice has never been greater The review has included one-tointo our planning,” he said. and WBC is preventing this from one interviews and focus groups, and He concluded by telling Mr Nar: happening.” is expected to be completed soon. “People shouldn’t wait for us to reach She was also concerned at Cllr The finds would be shared with the out if they have something to share Halsall’s response to Mr Nar’s forum and stakeholders to assist in with us that can improve equality for question: “The leader’s response future steps. the residents in our borough. I would showed how ill-suited he is for any “We are fully committed to ask that they can get in touch with us position of responsibility in 21st engaging with residents but we know so we can listen to them.” century Britain. we don’t always get that right and it Keith Kerr wanted to know what “If a resident asks you about racism is something we are keen to improve,” contacts Cllr Halsall had with the you answer the question on racism he added. “We will soon be launching black community in a bid to end – you do not diminish their request a new engagement platform which discrimination. by questioning the focus. It was an will enable residents to play a much Cllr Halsall said that some of appalling thing to say.” more active role in shaping our the work had been curtailed by the Cllr Clive Jones, deputy leader of services and performance.” coronavirus pandemic and urged Mr Wokingham Liberal Democrats, was The leader of Wokingham Labour, Kerr and others to encourage people similarly concerned. Cllr Rachel Burgess, called on the from an ethnic minority background “If you listen to residents asking forum’s acting chair, Cllr Parry Batth, to “have a 100% vaccination rate, a questions, the BAME forum has to take action, saying the ‘confusion’ task which eludes us all”. completely stalled, it isn’t happening over its status was ‘at his door’. Mr Kerr said that Cllr Halsall’s and we want to know why it isn’t,” he “We have the bizarre situation answer was “a long list of words and said. where Forum members think it has promises” and wanted to know “what more can we do to get the council to take its knees off our collective necks?” ŇŅƯ % Cllr Halsall again urged ņ % 2ǔ '

for help on 0#*751. vaccinations and also appealed for support for the relaunching of the BAME forum. “(It) is not the ÁÙű ĩŖőĆńŖä property of the borough it is the property of the 1, &1 ħ 131.4 Ż - ./%,$ ( 0/ BME Forum and %. -$. ,0 Ż *$*4 we would like to have it up and running; hopefully as soon as we can physically start meeting in the later half of the year.” After the meeting, Cllr Halsall reemphasised his determination to getting the forum back in action as soon as the review had been completed. “The council is committed to engagement with the community where this is helpful to them,” he told Wokingham. ŅņņŎŉ ņņŊŅŇŅ 222[*1#* /$,)*%%['%# Today. “The

16 | NEWS

Council to canvass for electoral roll THE COUNCIL will begin canvassing residents to make sure everybody can have a say at future elections. From Monday, August 16, people will be contacted by the borough council requesting information for the electoral register. It forms part of the annual canvass to keep the electoral register up to date. Andrew Moulton, electoral registration officer, said: “It’s important we have the right details for every property in the borough. “We are urging residents to check their email and look out for a postal form when it arrives, and complete as soon as possible to continue to have a say at future elections.” He said anybody not currently registered at their address will not appear on the form. “Using the automated response facilities, which are quick and easy, is our preferred method of updating our records but you can also complete and return the paper form if you prefer,” Mr Moulton added. An email form will be sent out later this month, followed by a postal form in September. Some people will only be contacted by post and are advised to wait for the form if they do not hear anything this month. Residents will be asked to check and confirm their details online by Wednesday, August 31 or by Tuesday, September 21 via post. n For help completing the form or more information, email: electoralservices@wokingham.gov.uk or call 0118 974 6000.

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Fears Winnersh Farm home plan will lead to developer reapplying n Continued from front page and the potential for 250 additional homes, Cllr Fishwick fears the traffic will put heavy pressure on the newly changed junction. Located between two new roundabouts connecting the relief roads to the existing routes, Woodward Close is now limited to a left turn exit and entrance only. This could overload King Street Lane, Cllr Fishwick warned. “Even with the new SEND school, the traffic modelling shows an increase in queuing traffic,” he said. And Cllr Fishwick is also frustrated the development encroaches on the countryside. The land where the 87 homes are proposed is currently outside of the Winnersh settlement boundary, although the borough council has proposed this be redrawn in the draft local plan update. Cllr Prue Bray, another Liberal Democrat councillor for Winnersh, said it’s wrong for the council to build on the land. She shares the same concerns over Taylor Wimpey, congestion and countryside development as Cllr Fishwick. “If it had been 15 or 20 homes, it would be a whole different thing,” she said. “But it’s not, they’re going for some three-storey flats.” In an objection on the council website, she added: “The Planning Statement refers to public consultation

already carried out. It doesn't say that what the result was: overwhelmingly hostile.” She also said the draft local plan update has no real weight, as its progress has been stalled. The application includes four blocks of flats, as well as townhouses, terraced, detached houses, and semidetached houses. It also proposes a play area and pond. Access to the site would be between Wheatfield Primary School and the British Legion. The borough council said it wants to build the development “as close to carbon net zero as possible”. It said the site would showcase energy-efficient developments, and include affordable housing. “We know a lot of residents have concerns about the impact of housing in the borough on resources and the environment,” said Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for finance and housing.

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“The council is committed to tackling the climate emergency, so we need to consider how to balance this with the need for more housing carefully. “That’s why schemes like Winnersh Farm and Toutley East are so important. “We want to use them as pilots to showcase how development can be done in a sustainable manner, minimising its impact on the environment as well as the neighbouring area.” Cllr Rachel Burgess, leader of Wokingham Labour said the development was not ambitious enough. “However much the development’s green credentials are publicised by the Conservatives, this development is new and therefore by its very nature will do nothing to reduce our current emissions and tackle the dire climate emergency we already face,” she said. “As for future emissions there are two major issues. It is claimed to be as climate neutral “as possible”, hardly an ambitious enough goa. “And the increased traffic this will create will inevitably increase emissions and reduce air quality.” She added: “Much like the Toutley development just a mile away, the proposed development runs right alongside the motorway which means significant traffic noise and concerns about air quality for new residents.” Cllr Burgess cited the Noise Impact

Appraisal, and said some residents in the new houses would be unable to open their windows without suffering an unacceptable level of noise disturbance. She said it casts serious doubts over the suitability of this site, alongside the added pressure on infrastructure, amenities and wildlife. Many residents have disagreed with the choice of pilot location as well. One Woodward Close resident, Rachel Vasey, commented on the plans, and said: “The estate is known as Winnersh Farm, until recently the farmland was being used by a local farmer with rich farming heritage in the area. “This should continue to be the case and not turn every green plot into an opportunity to build more houses especially since the infrastructure doesn't exist to support it.” Another close resident, James Robinson, said the area is not suitable for housing, because it is outside of the settlement boundary. In his comment, he added: “I appreciate this application has already been approved. Wokingham Council Land, majority Conservative councillors on the Planning Committee yet you insist on putting on this charade as if you listen to residents.” Residents have until Monday, August 16, to comment on the plans. They can be found under application number 212404, at: www.wokingham. gov.uk

90-year-old’s birthday full of hot air A 90-year-old and his family had an amazing hot air balloon ride full of moving coincidences, writes Sue Corcoran. Ronnie Franklin leapt at the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition when asked for ideas to celebrate his 90th birthday. “He said he’d always thought it would be wonderful to go up in a hot air balloon. We all thought ‘my goodness’, but my dad was just game for it. He coped superbly,” said his daughter Pauline Ive of Hurst. The ride, suspended under the huge balloon emblazoned with the words Happy Birthday, proved, by wonderful chance and changing winds, to have huge meaning for the family. Pauline, her husband Tony, managing director of Wokingham-based software company Powertec, their sons Richard, 28, Tim, 26, and Chris, 22, and Pauline’s brother Graham, rose to the skies with Ronnie from Prospect Park at Reading. It was thought they would be heading for Sonning. But, said Pauline: “You have no idea where you are going to go. You’re at the mercy of the wind direction and speed. We flew over the Royal Berks Hospital and Reading University, heading east and then over the thatched Waterside pub at Woodley.

IN THE AIR: Ronnie Franklin and his family enjoy a hot air balloon ride, which saw them fly low over Hurst three at sports days and in “We’re due to move from plays. Hurst soon after 29 years, so it “Our pilot Ravi was then was it was very relevant and looking for somewhere to land. significant for us when we At one stage we thought we’d went over Dinton Pastures. Our come down next to our house son Chris is a senior sailing instructor at the activity centre in Broadcommon Road – we could see our chimneys, it was there.” so exciting.” Then more magic happened. Residents came out of their Tony said: “We went over houses to wave. Chris was Hatchgate Farm going towards shouting down suggestions Wokingham, when suddenly on how an outdoor yoga class the wind changed 90º to go could improve their poses. north.” “Some of those roof tops looked Pauline added: “The wind ridiculously close,” said Tony. shift took us really low over The balloon landed safely Hurst. It was just incredible in a field behind the Green for us five having lived in the Man, 200 yards from the Ives’ village for 29 years. It was so special. A real gift. My dad, who home. The flyers were greeted lives in Tring, knows Hurst well by excited drinkers in the pub garden and other residents in from his visits with Mum to the car park. see us. Ronnie was thrilled with “We went over The Castle his flight. For the whole family pub. My dad, a bowler, was it was poignant for many particularly thrilled to see the reasons. “It was like a fairy tale, bowling green. Then we were over St Nicholas Primary where a farewell to the village for us,” said Pauline. Dad and Mum came to see our

Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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WOODLEY&EARLEYNEWS ‘Unsafe roads need urgent fix’ EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WOODLEY man is calling for action over road repairs “gone wrong”.

Cedric Lander said he has been pushing for improvements to Radcot Close and Reading Road for some time Mr Lander said after potholes in the close were repaired three years ago, the tarmac filling came out eight months later. “This is basic common sense,” he said. “If you do a job and it goes wrong, if you have any credibility, you come back and you put it right.” He said the repairs were expected to have a two year lifespan, and eight months is not good enough. But Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways

and transport, said the close had been inspected earlier this year and no defects were found. Mr Lander is also concerned about the uneven road surface on Reading Road. He said an elderly woman tripped, and broke her leg, spending a month in the Royal Berkshire Hospital as a result. He has been told the road will not be considered for work until next year, or 2023. Cllr Jorgensen said the area had been inspected and is safe but unsightly. “If areas do require reactive patching this will be completed as soon as possible,” she said. “Routine safety inspections will continue by our contractor with the next in August or September.” Mr Lander said he is concerned about the timescales. “There are 1,750 roads in the borough, and they only look at

POTHOLES: Reading Road in Woodley Picture: Phil Creighton 100 each year,” he said. “It’s the worst road in Wokingham.” He is worried that calculations about the position of the potholes and road damage are used to determine how dangerous the road is. “Algorithms are destroying everybody,” he said. “The worst part is they’ve allocated £5.8 million for the repair of all roads — they could spend double that in Woodley alone.” Cllr Jorgensen said anyone with specific concerns about road defects should report it via the borough council’s online system. “Our contractors will visit the location and take any necessary action to ensure the highway is safe,” she said.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662 Care home hosts breakfast A LOWER Earley care home held a networking breakfast last week. The outdoor event was open to all, and included a round of bacon sandwiches. General manager Natsayi Dunira said: “The breakfast went so well, we have such a lovely garden here we can use when the sun is out and it was so nice to be able to invite visitors to come and join us again. “Everyone enjoyed meeting up and our head chef, Ainsworth Brown, did us proud with some delicious home-made pastries and bacon sandwiches.” The home is planning another outdoor breakfast for September.

Conservative councillor wins Warren Ward seat in by-election A NEW councillor is representing Warren Ward, in Woodley. Cllr Vinlande Lewis, Conservative, won the by-election on Thursday, July 29. It was to fill the parish councillor seat in Woodley Town Council. Cllr Lewis was elected with 241 votes, seven more than Liberal Democrat candidate David Provins. Labour candidate Gregory Bello received 43 votes. Four ballot papers were rejected, with one having more than one vote on the slip, and three that were unmarked or void due to uncertainty. The by-election had a 40% turnout.

MP visits new showroom ONE OF the borough’s MPs paid a visit to a building supplier. Matt Rodda, whose constituency includes parts of Woodley and Earley, previewed the new Travis Perkins site, at Headley Park. He was joined by Woodley town mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel. The branch features a plumbing and heating showroom and a tools and plant hire section which includes diggers and dumpers. Mr Rodda said he was delighted to visit. “It was interesting to meet managers and staff and to hear about the business and the opportunities it is providing through apprenticeships and its efforts to attract a wider range of people into the building industry,” he said. “I was also interested to hear about the firm’s commitment to selling sustainably produced timber

and its work with its suppliers”. Cllr Sartorel said it was wonderful to welcome the company to Woodley. “The new employment opportunities are an added bonus to our thriving community,” she said. Branch manager Samantha Nice said the company is a one-stop shop for all building and construction needs. “It is twice as big as before, and is in a much more prominent and visible location in Headley Park,” she said. “With demand for construction and building at an all-time high, the opening of our new branch couldn’t come at a better time.” The branch also sells bricks, lintels, drainage, carcassing and has tool hire. The company has an app for customers to check and order stock on the go.

ON SITE: Cllr Janet Sartorel, Woodley mayor and MP Matt Rodda with a staff member

30 years for cllr AN EARLEY town councillor has been congratulated for his long standing service. Cllr David Chopping has served 30 continuous years, and represents Redhatch. Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the town council said Cllr Chopping has helped many residents and organisations in Earley during this time. “For a number of years he was a lone voice on the council and today he continues to show us all that he still has a significant contribution to make to Earley Town Council and its residents,” Cllr Jones said. Mr Chopping was chairman of the town council from 2004

Indie band puts on charity show

PICTURE: From left: Town mayor Cllr Anne Bassett, town clerk Jo Friend, Cllr David Chopping and Cllr Clive Jones leader of the town council to 2007 and was the first mayor of the town from 2005 to 2007. “It’s a great pleasure to congratulate David on his 30 years’ continuous service,” Cllr

Jones added. “He’ll be around for a few more yet.” The whole council joined with congratulating Cllr Chopping on the milestone.

BRICK TOP will be performing at The Good Companions in Woodley next weekend. On Saturday, August 14, the group will take to the stage, as part of a family fun day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Their show, which starts at 8pm, will feature Brit pop, mod and indie tunes. There will be awards for the bestlooking pet, activities

for children including face painting, balloon modelling and a raffle. An outside bar and barbecue will help make the day go with a swing and the pub is also planning a food challenge contest. Part of the car park will be available for stalls. n For more details, or to book, call the Loddon Bridge Road pub on 0118 969 3325.

Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Ground Force Charlie visits By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

COME RAIN or shine Twyford residents can now enjoy blooming gardens all year round, thanks to a celebrity visit.

Charlie Dimmock, presenter of Garden Rescue and well-known horticultural expert, visited residents at Loddon House last week to teach people how to have plants that stay colourful all year long. After enjoying a round of cream tea and bubbly, the celebrity gardener hosted a demonstration for more than 30 residents and friends, sharing her tips and tricks for the perfect planter. “I was delighted to be invited to Loddon House and join in with the summer celebrations,” she said. “We had a wonderful time discussing a variety of planting ideas and it was a real joy to meet all the homeowners at the

development and their guests.” At Loddon House, Ms Dimmock taught residents how to create a perfect allseason flower pot, from finding the right greenery to arranging the plants. It included a bay tree shrub to structure the display, French lavender for scent, and ivy to hang over the side of the pot. “[You want] a container of plants that are colourful and interesting all year round,” Ms Dimmock said. “It creates a lovely focal point for your garden or balcony.” “If you’re like me, you can top it up easily with one or two plants every time you go to the garden centre.” And her tips for the perfect all-weather planter included: n Using a large, glazed container to stop the soil from drying out; n Placing the plants close together so they create their own microclimate; n Laying pebbles in the

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bottom of the container to help water flow through the pot; n Filling a punnet with water and plant it in the peatfree soil to make a reservoir; n Making sure the planter sits on stilts in the winter. Residents were also able to ask Ms Dimmock a range of questions, including how to stop ants from getting to the plants to finding out more about her life on the set of Garden Rescue. Another audience member wanted to know how long the gardener films for each week, while another asked what steps they can take to get rid of slugs.

Verity McKay, divisional marketing manager at McCarthy Stone Southern, said: “Gardening can have such a positive effect on mental wellbeing, and after what has been such a difficult year for many. “We were thrilled to welcome Charlie to Loddon House and join us for an entertaining afternoon. “Her demonstration certainly inspired everyone to get their gardening gloves on and she shared lots of brilliant hints and tips. On behalf of our team and homeowners, I’d like to thank her for joining us.” Ms Dimmock, who shot to fame in 1997 on the series Ground Force, has presented a whole host of programmes teaching people all about gardening. Garden Rescue is her latest series focusing on garden transformations. Loddon House is a community on London Road, Twyford, for those who are retired and aged 60 and over.

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Playground theft PLAY equipment has been stolen from a Twyford park for the second year running. The zip wire chain and seat at King George V Recreation ground, on Loddon Hall Road, has been missing since Saturday, July 24. According to Twyford Parish Council, those responsible likely used a ladder to remove the bolts at the top of the chain. Cllr John Bowley, chairman of Twyford Parish Council’s Parish Lands committee, said: “It is saddening for both the community and the parish council that again this year the chain and seat have been taken from the Aerial Runway.” He said the swing was removed at a similar time last year, coinciding with the start

Channel hoppers TAKE a trip across the channel without leaving Hurst this year, courtesy of an upcoming beer festival. Oktoberfest is coming to Hurst Village Hall on Saturday, October 23, and will feature live music, local beers and ales, and a cocktail, gin and prosecco bar.

of the summer break. “We have put out an appeal for anyone with information to come forward and report what they know to the police,” he added. “Sourcing and fitting a replacement will take a number of weeks, meaning it will not be available for children to enjoy for a large part of the school holidays.” The parish council said it is taking the matter very seriously. It estimates it will cost approximately £500 to replace the seat and chain, but hopes the replacement can be covered by insurance. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said enquiries are ongoing. Anybody with information should contact the force online or by calling 101, and quote reference number 43210339800. There will also be a free hog roast to satisfy any hungry punters. The event will run from 6pm until 11.30pm. Tickets, due to be released soon, cost £17.50 and are limited to over 21s. n For more information, search ‘Oktoberfest 23 October 2021 – Hurst Berkshire’ on Facebook.

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Claire knows who killed Odie, do you? By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham. today ANYONE could have murdered Odie May, but who did it? All is revealed by author Claire Dyer in her new thriller.

The Reading-based writer has put a different spin on a murder mystery where the victim solves her own murder in The Significant Others of Odie May. Released last Wednesday, the story follows Odie May and her married lover who celebrates leaving his wife. When Odie pops out to buy some wine, she is murdered by a woman in a lime green coat. Next thing she knows, she’s in a waiting room and there’s a man called Carl Draper who interviews her. They track back the significant others in Odie’s life to try and work out who killed her and why. Carl shows Odie what’s happening in the life she’s left behind as her mother and her lover, Michael, learn of her death. Although Carl is able to

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By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today

A PAWSOME children’s book has proved to be a hit with families while raising funds for charity.

NEW BOOK: Claire Dyer has released her latest epic return Odie to the moment before she was killed, this comes at a price she may not be able to pay. “I am a huge fan of murder mysteries and wanted to see if I could write one,” says Ms Dyer. “The idea for the book came fully formed, although it took a slight detour with the introduction of Carl and his role in the book. “I absolutely adored peppering in clues and red herrings and, having based my previous books very much in the here and now, letting in the

magical realism of room three was great fun.” Ms Dyer added: “I also loved getting to know Odie as she got to know herself, however much the book is a murder mystery though, it is also a story about love, in its many forms.” Gaining an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, Ms Dyer is a regular contributor on BBC Radio Berkshire and runs Reading’s Poets’ Cafe. n For more details, visit clairedyer.com

Harvest time with Freely Fruity THURSDAY 29th JULY- WOODLEY LUNCH BUNCH - 11.7kg: Cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, plums,raspberries and blueberries SUNDAY 1st August - Food4Familes, READING - 59.8kg: Potatoes, chard, spinach, chillies, carrots, spring onions, beetroots, garlic, red and white onions, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes broccoli, gooseberries and mixed herbs.

This weeks total – 71.5kg 2021 Total so far – 439.2kg

From Torquay to the Thames A BERKSHIRE man is cycling more than 200 miles from Torquay to the Thames, to raise money for a children’s charity. Andy Ryan will ride from the seaside town in Devon to Wokingham at the end of the month, in a bid to support Dingley’s Promise. The charity, which has a base in the borough, delivers early years support for children with special educational needs (SEND). Andy hopes to raise £2,000 for Dingley’s Promise’s Pandemic Recovery Appeal, as a way of celebrating a recent recovery of his own. So far, he has raised nearly £1,300. “There couldn’t be a more worthy charity to do it for, particularly at this time,” Andy says. “[Dingley’s Promise] does incredible work with children on a local basis who otherwise wouldn’t have any resources for any form of education, so it’s really fantastic.” He is taking on the challenge following a serious cycling accident 18 months ago, after which it was feared he would

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

Wokingham-born writer Anna Zeller has created a new tale, based on her real life pets. The Sausage Squad features dachshunds Luna, Pedro, Ed and Lola. With Luna leading the pack, the four-legged friends go on an adventure to discover new things and form friendships together. The educational story aims to teach children about diversity, different cultures and the importance of friendship through the fun-loving viewpoint of a miniature dachshund and her sausage squad. Miss Zeller is donating proceeds to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a charity making the experience of illness better for children and their families. She said: “Independent charities fundraise most of their donations through events which had sadly all been cancelled due to the pandemic so donations they had coming in had virtually become non-existent. “Once I spoke to Starlight, I immediately knew that they were perfect and that our efforts could make a visible difference to the children and their families in hospitals across the country.” She even incorporated the charity’s star logo subtly into the front cover design on the book. The former Emmbrook School pupil read widely when she was younger and has always loved literature. Now she is creating words herself. The Sausage Squad was born out of her four dogs who had brought

“comfort and laughter” to many people over the last few years. “The bonds formed with children are almost instant and I have witnessed them help kids develop kindness, understanding and respect for living things,” she says. “I’ve used their fun-loving, childlike viewpoints to write a book which is whimsical but stays connected to reality, current culture, issues and general life.” Miss Zeller hopes that children can

connect to the squad and important life events toge Cathy Gilman, CEO of St said: “On behalf of everyon charity, we are so grateful choosing to support Starli fantastic first book. “Starlight uses the pow to make the experience of treatment better for childr families, and all money ra by Anna will help Starligh continue to provide play t

Isabella’s birthday wish is pres By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today BIRTHDAY celebrations are being planned for a five-year-old girl as she raises money for charity.

ON HIS BIKE: Andy Ryan is pedalling for Dingley’s Promise never cycle again. Now, he hopes his journey will not only mark his recovery but help families and children with SEND overcome the impacts of the pandemic. The route will see Andy climb 13,000 ft of elevation — the equivalent to scaling Ben Nevis nearly three times. He plans to complete the

challenge on Sunday, August 29 and all money raised will go towards Dingley’s Promise’s Appeal. n To support Andy’s ‘Road to Recovery’ ride, visit: www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ andyryan200for2000 n Read about the charity’s appeal here: www.dingley.org. uk/recoveryappeal

Isabella Waistell, from Woosehill, raised more than £1,000 for the Cleft Lip And Palate Association back in May. Isabella decided to fundraise for the charity after receiving support over the past few years. Now she is planning a birthday bash to mark her sixth year – and the kind-hearted youngster will once again be looking to help others. Celebrations will take place on Sunday, September 13 between 2pm until 4pm at Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club on Lowther Road. There will be lucky dip, tombola, a raffle and even Anna and Elsa from Frozen will make a special appearance on the day. Isabella wants to raise money to help the hospitals and the different departments that have supported her such as John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford and Royal Berkshire Hospital. The aim is to provide more

PARTY PLANNERS: Debbie Waistell and her daughter Isabella children’s activities in the hospital wards, such as colouring books and crayons to keep them entertained during their visit. Isabella’s mum, Debbie Waistell, says it would be “lovely” to celebrate Isabella’s birthday and fundraise at the same time.

“After the last year or s due to covid, it would be s give family and friends a c get together,” she says. “Isabella would love to toys and books for the dep and we have been busy m for the act of kindness bag

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Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

quad of il to tell

live through ether. tarlight, ne at the l to Anna for ight with her

wer of play f illness and ren and their aised ht to to hospitals.”

What’s wrong with K9?

CHEW ON THIS: Luna the dachshund is the star of a new book, The Sausage Squad Picture: Anna Zeller

buy some partments making bits gs.”

HAPPY TO HELP: Amy McCarthy from Rural Pie Co. in Tywford Picture: Steve Smyth

The pie that helped a pre-school

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

Ms Gilman adds she is grateful for Miss Zeller’s support and is looking forward to continuing to partner with her in the future. So far, she has sold around 400 copies raising approximately £1,500 for the charity. Miss Zeller has already hinted at a second book in the works,stating she has started to gather ideas together. n For more details, or to order a copy, visit thesausagesquad.com

sents for others

so we’ve had so good to chance to

CALLING your puppy back in the park may bring a few more paws to your feet. If your four-legged friend is called Poppy, this may ring true. It is the UK’s most popular dog name. Research from letterbox dogfood delivery company Butternut

Box, has pinpointed the top five names for man’s best friend. After Poppy, the nation’s favourites include Bella, Teddy, Lola and Alfie. So new owners may want to re-think their name choices, if looking for something unique. n For more information, visit: www.butternutbox.com

They both visited John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, last week for Isabella’s five-year check-up. Mrs Waistell is grateful for the care and support doctors and nurses have shown towards Isabella. “They are such a fantastic hospital, they have always been so good with her, put her at ease and the staff couldn’t believe how she has grown up and is doing so well. “We got chatting to a playworker, explained how we are doing the fundraising party and she was so pleased and gave us suggestions of what we could buy,” she says. “At the moment they have play packs, which is brilliant when you are there for a number of hours. “We would love to provide more of that and all your support and help will help us make this a successful party.” The family are appealing for businesses to donate a raffle prize, and they would welcome well-wishers wanting to make Isabella’s big day extra special. Those wanting to help or attend should contact Debbie by Wednesday, September 1, on 07717 086267.

PIE LOVERS have been helping support youngsters across Twyford, thanks to a firm’s new donations scheme.

Rural Pie Co., based on London Road, has been donating 15% of all Roast Chicken Dinner pies and pie meals to Happy Hours Pre-School. It launched the scheme, which has been running since Monday, July 12 to give something back to the village community. “A group of mums popped in and mentioned the Pre-School to us, and we thought we should try and support local as much as we can,” said Amy McCarthy, co-founder of Rural Pie Co. “We like to give back because everyone has helped us so much through lockdown.” She said Happy Hours Pre-School has struggled during the pandemic as summer and Christmas fundraisers

POETRY CORNER Behind her smile To follow my dreams I left my home, Unsettled my heart, And settled abroad. Dreams fulfilled, heart still seethes to feel the warmth of land of birth. Not all my emotions have words in English. No childhood fable my children share. Under lazy raindrops, miss monsoon songs. Among Michelin stars wish roadside chaat.

have been cancelled. “They need the help just as much as any small business,” Ms McCarthy added. “So hopefully this gives them that little extra boost.” Rural Pie Co. is also donating 10% of some prebooked tables to the school. Liz May, treasurer at Happy Hours Pre-School, said they are grateful to partner with the company. “The pandemic has been a hard time for [us],” she said. “Our fee income has been impacted and Covid regulations have meant that toys have needed intense daily cleaning. “This resulted in the need to replace toys much sooner than expected because the paint has worn off, so Rural Pie Co are helping us raise funds to buy more.” Originally due to end on Sunday, July 25, Rural Pie Co. extended the fundraiser to run until Sunday.

Waiting patiently, Praying fervently, for opening of borders, Grant of freedom to fill my heart with mother’s hugs, and shine my soul with Eastern light. This time when I visit homeland, Pious worship will heal the scars, A flood of tears will soak that soilthe sacred soil that gave me life. Suruchu Arora

We love receiving reader’s poetry. Email your submissions to letters@wokingham.today

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Taking action means hard choices IT CAN hardly have escaped your attention that the grass has been, well, a bit long of late. This is not the pleasant meadows of wild flowers we were promised a few years ago. This is full-on triffid invasion where if the plants won’t get you, the ticks growing in them will. Thankfully, Wokingham Borough Council has acknowledged our concerns and acted swiftly to end the grassgate problem of 2021. They have publicly called out contractors Tivoli for their work, calling it “below the standards we would expect”. Calling for fast and a permanent solution means there should be action taken soon. It’s one thing to plant pretty wild flowers, it’s another thing to turn Wokingham into a jungle. The council deserves praise for standing up for us residents over this issue, and we welcome Tivoli’s fulsome apology. Now, let’s see some cutting.

CHURCH NOTES

Climate action

E can make choices which are good and not bad for the environment; we can do it visibly; we can talk to others about it, and spread the word and the message, and if enough of us do it, there is a real probability of a critical mass leading to wider behavioural change. We saw it in the way in which driving while drunk has become more and more socially unacceptable. We’ve started to see it in many aspects of environmental awareness and care – we turn lights out more often; we sort our rubbish; we grow bee-friendly plants in our gardens or leave parts of them a little wild, and so on. And we live in a society and a world which is powerfully networked; so there is a real possibility for traction. What messages shall we hold in our hearts? Here are some: To consume in moderation. To think about how much is enough? How much do I need, as opposed to want, knowing how much I am conditioned to want what I do not need. To be farsighted, to keep the far distant future in sight – the future of my children and grandchildren and their grandchildren– so that I will see the effects of my actions, or the consequences of my inactions now. Not to lose hope. We can do this if we act now. If we act personally, locally, nationally and globally, and if we each play our part – the part we have been given, in this planetary drama which is being played out principally in the next decade. So I salute and stand in solidarity with the young Christian climate activists and all who join them. We support you, congratulate you, pray for you and thank you for what you are doing. May God bless you who have walked this road to Reading from Cornwall, and you who will walk on from Reading to Glasgow, and may God go with you and guide your way. An extract from a sermon by the Rt Revd Olivia Graham, the Bishop of Reading to members of the Young Christian Climate Network. To see the full sermon visit www.oxford.anglican.org

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Why is there no refuge for abuse victims? AT the opening of the Wokingham Borough Council meeting on Thursday, July 22, I was encouraged to hear Borough Mayor Cllr Keith Baker call for all councillors to attend a planned domestic abuse training session. He reminded everyone of the increase in domestic abuse during the pandemic and the importance of awareness of this issue. I was therefore surprised when Cllr Bill Sloane, executive member for neighbourhoods and communities, was unable to give an answer as to when Cranstoun, the new provider of services for domestic abuse, would have a functioning refuge in Wokingham. I was assured I would receive a written answer to my question, however I am still waiting. Cranstoun took over as provider for domestic abuse services in Wokingham on July 1 and are now receiving funds from WBC to provide support to victims. I think everyone would agree that the foundation of this support should be a safe refuge. It is therefore incredible that WBC have awarded this lucrative contract to an organisation with no knowledge of when refuge services will be provided by them. We are fortunate that Berkshire Women’s Aid are continuing to provide a refuge in Wokingham, funded through their fund-raising since they are no longer receiving funds from WBC. Louise Timlin, Branch Lead – Women’s Equality Party Wokingham and Reading

Don’t build on floodplains CLLR Sarah Kerr in her ‘From the chamber’ piece ascribes the recent serious flooding in Germany to our inability to deal with the climate emergency. But this is just to confuse climate with weather. There have always been bouts of heavy rainfall and

Council. It was located on the Loddon Bridge on the A327 Reading Road in Arborfield. Sadly fly tipping is an unwanted epidemic that is destroying our countryside. I wish Wokingham Borough Council would prosecute these criminals Cllr Gary Cowan, independent councillor for Arborfield, Wokingham Borough Council

Make a difference

A very atmospheric almost Autumnal walk in August. I encountered through the mist, this stunning Male Roe Deer Buck [Stag] in Joel Park, Wokingham. We watched each other for a short time before he bounded away from the Park and back into Holt Woods. Ian Hydon, Wokingham make our streets safer and protect there always will be regardless of the concentration of carbon dioxide people from violence. Kit Malthouse should eat his in the atmosphere. words and step down – in 18 What is needed in the case months the streets are much worse of flooding is to consider how to and more violent crime to children minimise its severity by avoiding young and old people. building in flood plains and by In that time the police has never stopping the ever-increasing loss reached out to any body or any of natural soakaways in our towns family not one police officer and and cities. always stuck like glue in their cars Protecting people from adverse picking on black people. weather does not have a single No bans of fire arms or knives solution. Cllr Christopher Bowring, from Mr Malthouse no block on Wokingham Without Ward, social media either. To conclude it would be good and Wokingham Borough Council right if Thames Valley PCC Mathew Worthless soundbites Barber put the police into this action too. IT is not unusual for Mr Johnson to It is time they mixed with the make sound bites to the media that communities and get out of the cars. are worthless. n Dear Parents of Olly Stephens. He keeps saying there is going Also family and friends. to be 20,000 more police when his I am a stranger to you all, though own party got rid of them in the first place there should be 40,000 police I give my condolence to you all. to get ahead a little. All the best from myself my With Kit Malthouse the crime prayers are always with you all. and policing minister also the fire Victor Rones, Bracknell service, he stated in February 2020 Fly-tipping action 18 months ago. That we are taking action to I have reported flytipping to the

Westminster diary Sir John Redwood

What should the post pandemic railway offer us?

HE latest figures from Network Rail reveal almost total dependence on taxpayers. Last year to March 2021

operating costs surged by 14% and passenger miles fell by 83%. Grant from the government was 68% of revenue, while much of the revenue from the train companies was also, of course, government grant supported. The railway is not only effectively nationalised, but it is largely paid for by taxpayers, not passengers. It seems likely that there will be a permanent substantial drop in commuter demand for travel at morning and evening peaks.

Many more people will only go to offices for part of the week, and there will be more flex over the timings of their journeys. Commuters have been dominant providers of passenger revenue, as many of the off-peak leisure travellers have bought heavily discounted tickets for their travel. The railway needs to undertake an exercise to see what pattern of services would best fit the new working patterns. It also needs to do more work on flexible season tickets. I still think they need a model where a traveller can buy a full fare or an off-peak fare ticket and gain an increasing discount for more use on an accumulator system. The capital expenditure of the railway is distorted by the huge cost of HS2. It does need to spend on capacity and service improvements across

I’D like to make your readers aware of a unique opportunity to make a big difference to the lives of hungry children in the world’s poorest countries this summer. For anyone who becomes a monthly giver to global school feeding charity Mary’s Meals before the end of August, their first three donations will be tripled, meaning the impact of their regular gifts will go even further. This is thanks to a group of generous supporters who are making funds available up to £100,000 for tripling donations from new regular givers for a limited period. Your readers can help Mary’s Meals to access all the available funds by setting up a monthly Direct Debit by August 31 here. (marysmeals.org.uk/tripled). Mary’s Meals feeds more than 1.8 million hungry children in 19 countries every school day. This funding boost will bring fresh hope to families struggling amidst the continuing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit the world’s poorest countries especially hard, and will also help Mary’s Meals in its goal to reach two million children with a nutritious meal every school day. I am proud to support Mary’s Meals and hope that this summer your readers can take advantage of this incredible opportunity to see their kindness go three times as far. Mark Beaumont, long-distance cyclist, broadcaster and author the network. Digital signalling is the cheapest way of increasing rail capacity, allied to short pieces of by pass track to allow fast trains past stoppers. The railway should expand in to more freight which will require more branch lines and sidings into industrial parks and major locations. The current rate of losses and subsidy is unacceptably high. The railway needs to be asked to show how it will get back soon to a majority of its costs being paid for by those travelling on it. Commuters and leisure travellers tend to have higher incomes than many non users. Relying more on fares as the pre pandemic railway did also helps to decide what services are needed and popular. Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingham

Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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From the chamber

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey

Could we end up like Slough?

OKINGHAM Borough Council’s Finances are in an interesting place. Our reserves have been hit hard by the pandemic, but we are not any way near the trouble that Slough Borough Council is in – they have effectively declared bankruptcy. Councils are not allowed to go bankrupt, so when they are in financial difficulty they issue a Section 114 notice and are bailed out by central government. In the case of Slough, their services are being cut to the core with strict limits on spending. Looking at the details of what has happened with our near neighbour, their borrowing quadrupled from £180 million in 2016 to £760 million now, largely as a result of funding various ambitious projects. They have also failed to properly collect their expected council tax and business rates over a number of years.

On page 16, you can read about Ronnie Franklin’s amazing 90th birthday celebrations – a hot-air balloon ride across the borough. Here you can see the family, their landing and a view of Hurst from the air

Another view Neil Coupe

Predicted

The impact of a good teacher lasts a lifetime

IKE many people, I am disappointed and deeply concerned at the lack of progress being made on tackling the climate emergency at every level. Sitting at traffic lights last weekend on a visit to my mum, I saw a very distinguished elderly gentleman gingerly crossing the road. I was rather admiring his attire, totally out of place in the Lancastrian mill town of my birth. He was wearing a beige linen artist’s smock with laces, chocolate brown trousers with matching block-heeled shoes and a panama hat, that was so definitely from Ecuador, where the very finest hats are made. He was walking, not with a stick, but, inevitably, with a cane. Just as I drove off, but too late to stop or circle back, I realised that this gent was Mr Darling, my one time German and history teacher. This was the man who first introduced me to some extraordinarily vivid German insults, which are lodged in my mind 35 years later and I still occasionally quote, much to the amusement of my European colleagues. He was a mimic, a raconteur, who brought the Franco-Prussian war vividly to life and rendered the Romanovs unforgettable by way of a distasteful but very amusing quip delivered in a comedy cockney accent. He was also an excellent teacher. When I sent out a WhatsApp message about my sighting to some of my school friends, it was striking how everyone seemed to have their own memory of him.

Picture: Wolfgang Mennel on Unsplash Somebody talked about the time he was deported from Russia after a false accusation of him being a spy, another one talked about how in the 1960s he had been a prospective parliamentary candidate for Crewe, who by his own admission ‘was very good with the middleaged ladies at tea parties, but not so impressive with a megaphone outside the railway works’. My recollection was of hearing of the extraordinarily exotic trips he made during the school summer holidays. I had never heard of ‘bucket shops’, where he bought his airline tickets, never mind of the South East Asian gambling hot spot of Macau, where he spent a month in the mid 1980s. At the time, hearing of somebody actually going on holiday to Brazil was almost like hearing about someone going to the moon. Almost everyone marvelled at his bold dress sense. I distinctly recall the neckerchief, open necked shirt, and brown velvet jacket. Others recall the pink shirt, and bow tie, in an era when the only people who wore bow ties were bouncers, snooker players and Bernard Manning.

And none of them were renowned for wearing them with pink shirts. He was also the only teacher at school who wore cologne. Reflecting on this brief visual encounter it really struck me what a massive influence a good teacher has on people’s lives. One of my friends has now lived in Germany for more than 30 years and has a German passport. Without that teacher making German seem accessible, fun, almost dare I say it, a little raffish, then his life would have taken a very different turn. He told me that he felt that Mr Darling was probably the most influential person he had ever met. I had never really thought about why my ‘goto’ shirt colour is pink, why velvet is my jacket of choice for a special occasion, and a few days of beer and sausage in Germany is my idea of an indulgent weekend away, but I am wondering whether sub-consciously his influence is greater than I had appreciated. What a privilege it is to have been taught by such a gifted and memorable teacher.

Could this happen to Wokingham Borough Council? Well, according to our current Medium Term Financial Plan in the year 2023/24 our borrowing from external sources is expected to rise to £580 million with £166 million from internal sources. That is a total of £746 million. This predicted figure is very similar to that at Slough, and it needs to be paid back somehow. It is not all bad – some of the money is being borrowed ahead of expected receipts from developers, so we can build roads, schools, infrastructure and other fun things right now instead of waiting until housing is built. However some of the money borrowed is for Property Investment and the Wokingham Town Centre Regeneration. These assets will hopefully generate an income and eventually a profit although, several years after work started, these projects are now only just covering the annual finance charges and have provided no additional income to the Council to spend on services. The finance charges will always need to be paid but the income is never guaranteed. Unforeseen things happen – such as a Covid Pandemic, increases in interest rates, or property price falls. Like it or not, WBC’s finances need to be carefully watched and questions will continue to be raised by the opposition. We need to learn from our near neighbour, not try to hide from difficult questions. Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey is the Wokingham Liberal Democrat spokesperson for finance and corporate resources at Wokingham Borough Council, and ward councillor for Emmbrook

Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Netball contest will be sociable

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FLAME OF HOPE: A specially made ‘Olympic torch’ made its way around Pinehurst Care Centre

Olympic spirit at Pinehurst RESIDENTS at Pinehurst Care Centre raced to the finish line for their Olympics celebrations this week. The residential home on Duke’s Ride, Crowthorne, held a variety of sporting events across the past few days to mark the Tokyo 2020 games. The festivities began with residents passing a specially made ‘Olympic torch’ around home and some members were even kissing it for luck. Kicking off with basketball on July 26, the staff planned

two full weeks of activities followed by a closing ceremony on Friday, August 6. Medals have been awarded for each event and the care home enjoyed prizes donated from Tesco Extra in Sandhurst to add to the celebrations. Sporting activities included tennis, volleyball, golf, javelin, shot-put, 400 metres, mental gymnastics and more. The staff wanted to organise sports that anyone could get involved in, no matter their ability.

Head of activities Victoria Pembroke said: “It’s important to us that everyone feels like they are able to join in, that goes for our staff too, and many residents had a favourite sport that they either enjoyed watching or participating in. “This is a great boost for everyone, to be able to have fun at work, especially after the last year and there has certainly been a lot of laughter so far, and we’re looking forward to hearing more.”

Charity founder up for business award By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham. today A CHARITY founder has been selected as a finalist for a special business award.

Vickie Robertson, founder of Finchampstead-based charity Kaleidoscopic UK, has been shortlisted for the Single Mums Business Network Awards. The organisation, helping survivors of domestic abuse with legal support and group sessions, was launched by Miss Robertson after she experienced domestic abuse, both as an adult and as a child. Now, after two years of running Kaleidoscopic UK, she has been nominated for the categories Campaigner Of The Year and Overcoming Adversity for her charity work. Miss Roberston can’t wait to meet the other finalists at the awards ceremony in October. She said: “I want to thank everyone involved, the Wokingham community and organisations who spur us on,

those who have supported me personally or supported Kaleidoscopic UK with their time, donations or in supporting our aims without whom none of this would be possible,” she said. Miss Robertson added she is delighted to become a finalist. “I’m honoured to be able to support others going through domestic abuse and see them flourish in all walks of life, it is truly the greatest reward so to get this far is just mind blowing and I feel very grateful

to even have been nominated.” A client of Miss Robertson, who put her for the award, said she is a selfless person and does a lot for domestic abuse victims. The client, who wishes to remain anonymous, added that Miss Robertson was recognised for the award because she deserves recognition for all the hard work she does for Kaleidoscopic UK. Miss Robertson also expressed her thanks to her team and the community adding she has the “best team ever”. She said: “Thank you to each survivor for allowing us to be a part of your journey and watching you flourish, this is for you, your inner strength and all that you are.” Voting is open until September 30, email smbn@ singlemumsbusinessnetwork. co.uk on why Miss Robertson deserves to win. n For more information, visit kaleidoscopic.uk

GOALS will be scored in an upcoming charity fundraiser, thanks to a Crowthorne netball team. Social Sevens Netball, S7evens, offers drop-in netball games and coaching sessions for over 16s. The club hosts regular mixed tournaments to raise money for its partner charity, Sport in Mind, and another organisation nominated by a member. Participant Jade Singleton chose Royal Berks Charity as the recipient of half of the proceeds for this upcoming charity match. Six teams will be taking part in this year’s first mixed tournament on Sunday, August 15. Members will take to the court with their partners, family members, and colleagues for an afternoon of netball fun. Énergie Fitness Wokingham, Mumbai Wokingham, Jenny’s Mobile Hairdressing and PT Marc Rose have donated prizes for a raffle on the day. There will also be a chance for attendees to take part in a family fun shoot out competition to raise even more money. S7evens umpire and coach Jessica Terrill said: “We offer inclusive netball, and have a number of men that regularly play. “We hope the August tournament raises a significant amount for both charities, promotes and strengthen S7evens friendships, and encourages even more men and women to take up and enjoy inclusive, sociable netball.” n For more details, log on to s7evens.co.uk

Gin night at Legion club A GIN night will be held at Crowthorne’s British Legion club this Saturday. Based on Wellington Road, the club is welcoming members and non-members. Premium gins will be available to try at £10 for three gins and a tonic. To book a table, call Jod on 07812 350281. For more details, log on to crowthornerbl.co.uk

Church creates a time to reflect and remember A FINCHAMPSTEAD church is encouraging people to join in with its special service. The FBC Centre, on Gorse Ride North, will be hosting its Reflection Space event on Sunday, August 22, from 10.30am to 11.30am. The main hall will be set up as an area where people can reflect on any grief and anxiety they have after experiencing uncertainty and loss. Soothing music will be played and low lighting will be used. People can sit alone or with their family and friends. After a similar event last summer received positive feedback, the FBC Centre decided to repeat the experience. People can also submit photos of loved ones or messages ahead of the morning, which will be displayed on the TV screens in the hall. Jac Pluves, leader of the community team at Finchampstead Baptist Church, said: “I feel that everyone has struggled through this period of uncertainty and loss, many of us have lost loved ones, their jobs, financial security, relationships or experienced the disappointment of missed family gatherings and having exams or holidays cancelled. “We have spent a lot of time simply trying to cope and keep going so our intention is that the Reflection Space will be a safe and calm place in the middle of our busy lives where people can simply pause and reflect; to mourn their losses.” Masks will be encouraged when entering the building. Photo and message submissions can be sent to care@finchampstead.com n For more details, log on to fbcnext.com

No. 5373

Your weekly puzzle challenge

26 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

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Quiz Challenge

5 4

11 11

1 13

20 13

11 26

22 5

1. The Walker Art Gallery is in which British city? 2. What adjective is used to describe matters relating to the lungs? 3. What was Ronan Keating’s first UK No 1 solo hit after he left Boyzone? 4. Which Australian bird is also known as the laughing jackass? 5. Drew Barrymore found fame as a child actress for her role as Gertie in which classic sci-fi film?

5 10

5 8

16 15

12 7

NONAGRAM

23 14

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

MAGIC SQUARE

WARM AIR, PRIME VIEW

P A D

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 15 Good; 18 Very Good; 21 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

6. Which film actress famously said the only thing she wore in bed was Chanel No 5?

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

SOLUTIONS

1 2

7 7

2 1 8 6

2 6

1 9

3 9 8

4 5 3 2

4 7 8 5 4 6

15 15

17 23

T E

ACROSS 1. Help backward race suﬀering bitter attack (8) 5. Analyse the image (4) 8. Fortunate to have been regarded with goodwill (8) 9. Fast time (4) 11. Cathy in trouble with another woman (7) 13. I have been taken in by ﬂower girl (5) 14. Does he make plans for one playing on board? (11) 18. Thought about us getting in the sea shortly (5) 19. Oscar leaves poor nonachievers in ancient capital (7) 21. Plunder nothing in a large quantity (4) 22. Fellow givin’ out a musical instrument (8) 24. Rite performed in row (4) 25. After drama met a potential child’s companion (8)

E D

B M

Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

DOWN 1. Leave the country, there’s something wrong (6) 2. Learner taken in by awfully vain man (5) 3. It gives some indication about the unreﬁned girl in blue (5,5) 4. Some describe enterprising worker (3) 6. Church takes on new lease in London (7) 7. Catch the girl below (6) 10. Currently it’s the time when Santa comes (7-3) 12. Wooden pale (5) 15. Repair shop again ﬁrst (7) 16. Slipper at extremes of charm (6) 17. Risk of not completing part of the church (6) 20. House the football team (5) 23. Be unwell as a result of drink, we hear (3)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

11 13

This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

18 19

Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

26 28

30 31

32 WORD PYRAMID: Between you and me. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – subtract; multiply; add; divide. Total: 5.

5 1 4 9 9 1 2 7 4 1 2 5 3 3 2 8 6 1 7 3 8 4 7 8 2 4 3 9 5 2 5 7 5 4 8

EQUALISER 12 3 7 2 1 2 1 3 3 4 2 2

Hard

SUDOKU Easy

10. In the Cricket World Cup, each team faces a maximum of how many overs in a match?

9. At the start of the TV series Breaking Bad, what is the profession of Walter White?

8. Which US president had a father who was ambassador to Great Britain?

FIVE ALIVE PV

9 10

7. What is the main ingredient of the Greek specialty baklava?

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed Y through openings in the walls. The O first letter may appear in any chamber. U A

WORD PYRAMID

E P Y

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

PZ1P5373

CROSS CODE 11

5373

ACROSS 1. Spring flower (8) 6. Waistband (4) 8. Pixie (3) 9. Trespasser (8) 10. Floating platform (4) 12. Effluent drain (5) 14. Not active (5) 17. Female deer (4) 18. Harem (8) 20. Roomy (8) 24. Painful (4) 25. Symbol (5)

26. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

Tendon (5) Swine (4) Qualified (8) Stray (3) Islamic ruler (4) Equestrian sport (8) DOWN 2. Hire (4) 3. Graded (6) 4. Masses (inf.) (6) 5. Irish republic (4) 6. Leap (6) 7. Hunting trip (6) 11. Trunk (5)

12. Move stealthily (5) 13. Brother of Romulus (5) 14. --- McKellen, English actor (3) 15. Arm joint (5) 16. Tall building (5) 19. Wicked act (3) 21. Rostrum (6) 22. Incense holder (6) 23. Figure of speech (6) 24. Sequence (6) 27. Group of cattle (4) 28. Garden pest (4)

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Liverpool; 2 Pulmonary; 3 When You Say Nothing At All; 4 Kookaburra; 5 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial; 6 Marilyn Monroe; FIVE ALIVE: 7 Chopped nuts; 8 John F. Kennedy; 9 Chemistry teacher; 10 50. (1) Across – Poser; Twerp; Lapel. Down – Petal; Sheep; Repel. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Diatribe; 5 Scan; 8 Favoured; 9 Lent; 11 Cynthia; 13 (2) Across – Value; Polio; Decoy. J H P S E F X L K R A G N Rosie; 14 Draughtsman; 18 Mused; 19 Nineveh; 21 Loot; 22 Down – Vapid; Lilac; Ebony. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Mandolin; 24 Tier; 25 Playmate. O U Q M B Y T Z C I V W D Down – 1 Defect; 2 Alvin; 3 Rough guide; 4 Bee; 6 Chelsea; 7 NONAGRAM: apse; apsis; aside; dais; daisy; dassie; Nether; 10 Present-day; 12 Ashen; 15 Restore; 16 Amulet; 17 diss; DYSPEPSIA; easy; espy; essay; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU Chance; 20 Villa; 23 Ail. view; Irma; emir; eyas; pass; passé; passed; said; warp. sapid; sapped; sappy; sepia; side; QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Primrose; 6 Sash; 8 Imp; 9 Intruder; 10 Raft; 12 sipe; sipped; spade; spae; spaed; Sewer; 14 Inert; 17 Hind; 18 Seraglio; 20 Spacious; 24 Sore; 25 spay; spayed; sped; spied. Token; 26 Sinew; 29 Pigs; 30 Eligible; 31 Err; 32 Emir; 33 Dressage. Down – 2 Rent; 3 Marked; 4 Oodles; 5 Eire; 6 Spring; 7 Safari; 11 Chest; 12 Sneak; 13 Remus; 14 Ian; 15 Elbow; 16 Tower; 19 Sin; 21 Podium; 22 Censer; 23 Simile; 24 Series; 27 Herd; 28 Slug. 8 7 9 6 3 4 1 2 5

2 1 3 9 5 7 8 6 4

5 4 6 8 2 1 7 9 3

3 9 1 7 4 6 2 5 8

6 5 2 1 8 3 4 7 9

4 8 7 2 9 5 6 3 1

1 2 8 5 6 9 3 4 7

7 3 5 4 1 2 9 8 6

9 6 4 3 7 8 5 1 2

9 3 1 5 6 8 7 2 4

4 7 8 2 3 9 5 6 1

6 5 2 1 4 7 3 9 8

5 4 7 3 1 2 9 8 6

1 2 3 8 9 6 4 5 7

8 9 6 4 7 5 1 3 2

2 1 5 7 8 3 6 4 9

7 8 9 6 5 4 2 1 3

3 6 4 9 2 1 8 7 5

SOCIETY | 27

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Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

News from your clubs, groups and societies

INTHECOMMUNITY

EMPLOYMENT: CLASP

CLASP held its first Happy and Healthy Club event last month. It focused on healthy eating, and was run by Carol Price from the Community Health Learning Disability Team.

The group learnt about protein sources, 100 calorie snacks and portion sizes, before making a fruit skewer with a yoghurt dip. The service will run for a year, with sessions on the last Wednesday of the

month at 10am. It has been funded by Healthwatch Wokingham, and is free to join. The August session will focus on seated pilates, and the September session mindfulness.

UNFAIRLY DISMISSED FOR REFUSAL TO RETURN TO THE UK DURING LOCKDOWN? The Employment Rights Act says that an employee will be deemed automatically unfairly dismissed where the reason for their dismissal is that they took appropriate steps to protect themselves from danger, which they reasonably believe to be serious or imminent. In the recent case of Montanaro v Lansafe Ltd, the Employment Tribunal considered whether an employee had been automatically unfairly dismissed for staying in Italy during the outbreak of the pandemic and refusing to return to his place of work in the UK. The Claimant, Mr Montanaro, was employed by Lansafe to provide IT services to their clients. He thought he had sought permission to take holiday to attend his sister’s wedding in Italy. Whilst he was out there, Italy entered a lockdown and UK guidance changed.

Bracknell Together Walk “HYDRATING the community,” so says Co-op’s Viviana Salmon, having handed more than 180 bottles of water to Easthampstead Rotarian Mike O’Donovan, organiser of the Bracknell Together Walk this Sunday in South Hill Park. “Co-op is proudly supporting local events, promoting wellbeing and communities,” says Viviana, a local mother, and member pioneer for Co-op Bracknell and Wokingham. “On behalf of the club, we would like to thank Viviana and the Co-op for their generous donation,” Mike said. Viviana is among dozens of walkers already registered to go on the walk. It is possible to register a group of walkers for £20 online, saving time on the day. For full details and to register, go to www.bracknelltogetherwalk.org Enjoy a special offer on a bacon roll and a cuppa. And the youngsters can get their faces painted. After the walk, stay around and listen to the live sounds of Sneakin’ Suspicion. This is a chance to raise money for your favourite charity – every penny you raise goes to your charity. So get sponsors, and remember there are prizes for the charities that make the most impact on the day. And for you hashtaggers out there in our communities, check these out: #itswhatwedo #wellbeing #easthampsteadrotaryclub #community #southhillpark It’s a date, Sunday, August 8, in South Hill Park for the Bracknell Together Walk. PETER VON BERGEN

ON DISPLAY: Purple Profusion by Janina Maher

The Reading Guild of Artists

THE Reading Guild of Artists (RGA) is pleased to announce the return to the corridors of the Royal Berkshire Hospital for its 26th charity art sale. It’s been a long time coming after all the lockdowns and restrictions of the past many months. Trish Roberts, the new exhibitions secretary of the RGA, oversaw the exhibition team working well together to present a colourful and varied display of members’ art works. The exhibition is open until Saturday, August 28, and 25% of sales will be donated to the Royal Berks Charity. Trish says she is delighted with the new exhibition and hopes that the wide variety of artworks, the range of subject matter and the joy of seeing ‘art in the flesh’ will be a source of great pleasure for all who spend some time looking as they walk along the second floor link corridor at the hospital. One doctor, based in the x-ray

department, said that “her walk to work along the corridor from the car park is made more pleasurable and the art on show lifts her spirits”. RGA member Janina Maher is exhibiting her mixed media piece Purple Profusion. A tutor and practitioner of mono-printing she has incorporated some of her prints into paintings. This vibrant work of art is one of her beautiful, finished pieces. She said: “The exhibition (at the RBH) helps brighten the corridors for staff, patients and visitors and gives local artists the opportunity to reach a wider audience”. It also gives art lovers who visit the hospital an opportunity to buy and own original art whilst at the same time helping to support the hospital charity. Further information can be found by visiting www.rga-artists. org.uk or www.facebook.com/ ReadingGuildofArtists JANE SOMNER

On 11 March 2020, Lansafe wrote to the Claimant confirming that he had been dismissed because he had taken unauthorised leave and failed to follow proper processes in relation to his holiday. Lansafe sent this letter to the Claimant’s home address even though they knew he was still in Italy, so the letter was not received. Unaware of his dismissal, the Claimant continued to work as normal for Lansafe’s clients remotely and kept the company updated about the travel restrictions in Italy. On 1 April 2020, the Claimant received his P45 and a final payslip which indicated that his employment had been terminated. Lansafe’s case was that the Claimant was dismissed for failing to get approval for his holiday and they were able to dismiss him without a process due to his short length of service. The Claimant’s case was that he had been given approval for the holiday and that the real reason for dismissal was his refusal to return from Italy due to health and safety concerns and his belief that he needed to protect himself from danger which he believed was serious and imminent. He therefore bought a claim for automatic unfair dismissal. The Tribunal ruled that the Claimant had been dismissed because he had raised concerns about the ongoing pandemic and requested to work remotely, not because he had taken alleged unauthorised holiday. He was therefore unfairly dismissed. In its judgment, the Tribunal held that the Claimant had reasonably believed the danger of the pandemic was serious and imminent and he had taken appropriate steps to protect himself. The Tribunal also drew attention to the fact the Claimant was actively engaging with Lansafe, requesting advice and assistance on the travel restrictions, and was able and willing to continue working remotely until the situation had changed. Full article online - Read in full at www.herrington-carmichael.com If you would like to know more about the above article then you can contact one of our specialists.

01276 686222

info@herrington-carmichael.com

www.herrington-carmichael.com

28 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAMLEISURE

The South can’t wait for FiFest’s crowds to sing The Maidenhead event, taking place later this month, will see Chico join The South on the line-up. LAURA SCARDARELLA explains

USIC artists are gearing up to perform at Fi Fest. The Maidenheadbased music event will be held on Forest Green Road, Fifield, on Sunday, August 29. Providing 10 hours of entertainment for all ages, the festival will have live music on the main stage as well as a child-friendly area. The 2021 main stage line up will include well-known bands from the 90s and 00s such as The Lightning Seeds, The South, Toploader, Chico and many more. The KidsZone section will feature a pop-up play village, sandpit, soft play and a disco creating an exciting space for all the children to enjoy. With a range of food and drink stalls available on the day, the festival aims to provide muchneeded entertainment for families. Alison Wheeler, from The South, said she is “really looking forward” to getting out there and singing again. She said: “Everyone has been at home for so long and it’s been a hard year for us artists, but we just want everyone to have a good time. “Festivals are always a good laugh, people are inquisitive and our songs get people up on their feet, there’s always songs I didn’t realise

Crumbs! Films take the Biscuit

EADING’S famous beer, bulbs and biscuits has been refreshed for the 21st century thanks to a new town centre venue. The former Argos store in the Broad Street Mall has been converted into Reading Biscuit Factory, a three-screen cinema and event space, complete with a live performance space,

AT THE THEATRE Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Holiday Workshops for children. Until end of August.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 This Noisy Isle. Fri-Sat. India Electric Co folk concert. Sun.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

ON SONG: The South are one of the big name acts performing at FiFest later this month people knew but they sing along and it’s great.” Influenced by Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand, Ms Wheeler explained the importance of live music after such a difficult year. “I think connection is really important, now more than ever, festivals can be small and intimate or you can be really far away, but it’s just the look of joy you see on the audience’s face when they hear your songs and they sing along.” She said: “I’m most looking forward to people singing back at us and we can’t wait to get the crowd going and playing songs everyone knows.” The South’s performance will be

a celebration of the back catalogue with uptempo songs that are going to get everyone up and moving. Also headlining on the day will be X Factor’s own Chico, who will be taking centre stage to entertain the crowd with some of his catchy hits, including It’s Chico Time. Not only does Chico still sing, but he also started his own company where he runs retreats in Portugal for individuals, called Hu Breath. He’ll also be touring across eight different theme parks in the UK as well as Fi Fest. Chico explained his involvement in Fi Fest is to “bring people together”. He said: “The truth of the matter

is, music is what has kept people motivated with online concerts this whole pandemic. “It’s time we all just let people come out and enjoy the festival, we can’t stop life just seeing everyone all together enjoying live music is just priceless.” Chico added he’ll be getting the party started with new songs. “I want people to get up and dance and children to have no fear because after all what time is it? It’s Chico time.” Tickets are still available at £25 for all-day adults, £15 for children and evening tickets cost £15. n For more information or to purchase tickets visit fifest.co.uk

a community hub and a bar, food kiosks and a coffee shop. The cinema will feature a mixture of blockbusters and indie films. On the opening slate are titles such as Nomadland, Summer of Soul, Limbo, Another Round, I Never Cry and Deerskin. The team behind The Biscuit Factory say that some of the films will be ones that people would have previously had to travel to London to see. There will also be screenings from the National Theatre, ballet and opera. Regular events include a comedy

club and the venue is open for private hire. The venue will offer memberships with benefits including three free cinema tickets, off-peak prices at peak times and 10% discount on food and drink. There is also a threemonth trial of a streaming service MUBI. The Reading Biscuit Factory is the second venue from Really Local Group.   Preston Benson, founder of Really Local Group, said: “After nearly four years and three lockdowns, we are proud to launch the Reading Biscuit Factory at

Broad Street Mall. “We can’t wait to show the residents of Reading and the surrounding communities our beautiful venue, as well as share more details around our exciting cultural programme. “There will be something for everyone at Reading Biscuit Factory.” The venue is open from 9am daily, with film screenings starting from 11am, with doors closing at 11.30pm. For more details, log on to readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk PHIL CREIGHTON

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 NEXT SHOW: Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler. Wed, Aug 25.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Gary Delaney: Gary in Punderland. Fri. The Total Who Show. Sat. Jonny and the Baptists: Dance Like It Never Happened. Fri 13. Wild Blue Angels. Sat 14.

Newbury – The Corn

Exchange

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 NEXT SHOW: Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday. Fri Aug 20-Sun Aug 22.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Just So. Until Sat, Sept 4.

Reading – South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

NEXT SHOW: Kerry Godliman. Fri, Sept 3-Sat, Sept 4.

Reading – The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Russell Howard - SOLD OUT. Sat.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: No Naughty Bits. Wed, Sept 22-Sat Sept 25.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Two Into One. Until Oct 9.

Windsor – Theatre Royal

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Ian McKellen in Hamlet. Until Sept 4.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Abigail’s Party. Sept 8-18.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 5, 2021

Simon’s show for bike lovers

FAMILY show will be cycling into Norden Farm for another live performance this month. Written by poet and theatre-maker Simon Mole, the 45-minute production of I Love My Bike took to the stage on Saturday, July 24. The outdoor show is returning on Saturday, August 14, to show children the excitement of riding a bike for the first time. Simon read his book aloud to the audience followed by leading some fun, and quite silly, games. The activities will get children to explore their creativity and come up with ideas to turn into poems. For little word wizards who don’t need stabilisers, Simon will shift gears to introduce some mega metaphors and super similes. Simon has worked on two lockdown projects with Norden Farm, All Write Together in and Lockdown Town. Simon said he is looking forward to performing on stage again. He said: “I’ve been very lucky to have been involved in some wonderful online events that have really lit up an otherwise tricky time and in the first lockdown I started running free poetry workshops for children online, and somewhat amazingly they are still going strong. “But there is definitely something special about performing in an actual place full of people rather than in front of a screen full of little Zoom squares, I can’t wait and I hope to see some of you there.” Simon explained his excitement on reading the story aloud to families and showing children how enjoyable books are. “One thing I love about picture books is that they are written to be read aloud – I hope that some of the rhythms of cycling are contained in the rhythms of the words in the book so sharing that live with people is great fun,” he said. “But as much as connecting to the story, these events are about connecting with the idea that books are fun, and that playing with words is fun.” Suitable for ages four upwards, the performance starts at 11.30am. Tickets are £12 for adults, £10 under 16s, and £40 for Family and Friends, four people. To purchase the book, visit bit.ly/3zRPAYM n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01628 788997 or log on to nordenfarm.org LAURA SCARDARELLA

Showstopper to thank NHS staff NHS WORKERS were treated to a special free performance last month, thanks to South Hill Park. The Bracknell-based arts centre thanked the keyworkers for their hard work during the pandemic by inviting them to watch SHOUT! One audience member said: “The whole thing felt safe, well organised and the show was just incredible, it was brilliant from start to finish. “Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity, we appreciate it so much.” Chief executive Craig Titley said: “We were delighted and honoured to welcome so many Bracknell Forest NHS workers to South Hill Park for a very special performance of SHOUT! the Mod Musical. “Although still socially distanced and therefore at a reduced capacity, those who came along more than made up for the unused seats cheering and clapping at the end and the post-performance feedback has been fabulous. Mr Titley added he is “so pleased” they were able to offer their thanks to some of the hard working men and women of the NHS. n For more details on upcoming shows, log on to southhillpark.org.uk

LEISURE | 29

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Thursday, August 5, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Garlic and Rosemary Potatoes

In the garden August

From the kitchen Freely Fruity

Have a holiday in the garden

Serves 4 as a side HERE’S been a lot of garlic harvested by the freely fruity team recently and this is a great recipe to show it off. It’s the perfect accompaniment to barbecued or roasted lamb and a winner with children.

Ingredients

n 750g organic potatoes, e.g. Lady Balfour n 1 head garlic n 5 stems rosemary n 2-3 tbsp olive oil n Salt

Method 1. With the skins on, cut the potatoes into 1.5cm cubes and rinse them 2. Steam the potato cubes over boiling water for 6 minutes, or boil them for 4 minutes then drain 3. Spread the cubes onto kitchen paper and let them cool a little and the steam evaporate

4. Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6 5. Get a large roasting tray and tip the cooked potatoes onto it. Add the garlic cloves (still in their skins) and rosemary needles, removed from the woody stems. Toss everything in olive oil and and season with salt

6. Roast for about 30 minutes or until crisp and golden then serve. Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/freelyfruityuk/

Wokingham Loves Music Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

ALENT comes from all over the globe, and that’s certainly the case with this week’s playlist. Every week, Wokingham Loves Music aims to bring you a selection of tunes you can enjoy from some of the best musicians, all with a connection to the area. Heading up the playlist is Mike Wagner’s Be Yours, it acts as an appetiser for Wokingham Festival. Why not have a listen? The playlist is FREE on Spotify. Make sure you have a listen at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic and search for our group on Facebook to join in the music chat.

Mike Wagner – Be Yours

Mike is a Reading-based singer-songwriter and drummer from Durban, South Africa and he will be appearing live on the Wokingham Music Club (WMC) Stage at Wokingham Festival. This song and the others from his Life... A Seven Day Journey show that he will definitely be worth checking out. Mike says that he writes songs inspired by life, faith and people, creating sounds that attempt to resonate with what it is to be human. It sounds like he is succeeding in those attempts - www.facebook.com/mikewagnermusic

ALL YOURS: Mike Wagner says his songs are inspired by life, faith and people

Kyros – The Good Doctor

A very prolific international band with local connections. Check them out live on their summer tour which features an appearance at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday – www.kyrosmusic.com

The 11 – This Life

Here’s a late addition to the Wokingham Festival line-up and what a good addition it is. The 11 describe themselves as ‘a straight up, no messing, proper honest rock-band with feels and melody aplenty’- www.facebook.com/ the11uk

Crooked Shapes – Let It Go

Flutatious – Sound of Jura

The first Peach Place live music event was a great success and the second one is this Saturday afternoon, featuring Wokingham-based rock band, Crooked Shapes plus Reliant, who featured in this feature a few months ago. That sounds like a perfect way to spend an afternoon. We understand that Crooked Shapes will be releasing their debut album soon so that’s something to look forward to so, while we wait for that, here’s one of their singles - www. crookedshapes.com

This band are a live favourite with their exciting blend of folk, rock and prog. They will be making a return visit to Wokingham Festival to play tracks from their new album, Through Space and Time and more - www.flutatious.co.uk

Wille and the Bandits – Four Million Days They have been described by The Daily Telegraph as ‘One of the best live acts in the country’ so their visit to Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday is not to be missed - www.willeandthebandits.com

A Better Life – Mono Heart

A Better Life is based around Phil Daniels, who has put on live events in the local area and the album, Take a Deep Breath, from which this track is taken, shows that Phil is also a very creative musician and producer – abetterlifemusic.com

Never The Bride – Worth it Work it

Unfortunately, due to illness the band weren’t able to play the planned WMC Show. We wish them well and look forward to seeing the band back soon – www.neverthebride.com

The Hedge Inspectors – Leave Me Alone

One Eyed Man – Cornish Shores

Here’s an acoustic duo who play original and occasional covers with wit and melody. They will be playing on the WMC Stage at Wokingham Festival - www.unplugthewood.com/ thehedgeinspectors

Stuart Hutton, aka One Eyed Man, is a talented artist who writes, records, and produces his music himself. We’re looking forward to seeing him at Wokingham Festival in August - www.facebook. com/OneEyedManOfficial

UGUST is usually the month when most of us go on holiday and leave our gardens to fend for themselves. But this year is slightly different, with a lot of us either staying at home or opting for getaways in the UK. If you are planning a trip away from home then a little thought before you go and some tender loving care when you return will be enough to make sure your garden survives the summer. Try and arrange to have your containers and baskets watered, or set up a system that can supply water on a regular basis to your tubs and baskets. Move any baskets and containers out of full sun to a position where they are shaded at the height of the day. Stand terracotta pots on gravel trays topped up with water, so the pots can gradually absorb the reservoir of liquid or alternatively make a few holes in the lid of a plastic water bottle, cut off the bottom of the bottle, turn upside down into the plant compost and then fill with water (which slowly drips into the soil). You can apply the same watering principles to your veg patch as well. August (and September) is a month of gathering, harvesting, bottling and jam making for all Grow Your Own gardeners. However, if the weather remains good in some areas you can still sow quick maturing salad crops such as lettuce, radish, rocket and chicory. Create your very own ‘moveable’ salad patch by planting them in troughs and containers. Cherry tomatoes from the vine, sweetcorn on the barbecue, a warm salad of tender green beans and a home grown side salad … with some flowers for the table picked from the garden – lovely. A sweetly fragrant plant that works well as a cut flower but can also be used to attract wildlife such as bees and insects into the garden is Phlox. Flowering in mid-summer through to the end of the autumn, Phlox is a superb hardy herbaceous perennial originally from North America, with scented star-shaped pink, white and purple/blue flowers. It is the ideal border plant, often used in cottage gardens, but is also good as a cut flower and can grow quite tall so may need some support. Phlox likes a well-nourished soil that has been enriched with rotted compost or manure and prefers full sun although it can tolerate partial shade. In late autumn cut the stems right down to the base and then mulch in early spring. August is usually one of the hottest months of the year - making watering essential - but other jobs for this month from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) include: n Deadhead flowering plants regularly n Water - particularly containers and new plants - preferably with grey recycled water or stored rainwater n Collect seeds from favourite plants n Harvest home grown vegetables as they become ready n Keep ponds and water features topped up n Look after the lawn

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PUBLIC NOTICES WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application Address

Reasons for Advert

Description

212112

128 Reading Road, Wokingham

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Full application for the proposed erection of 1no. two storey detached dwelling, and conversion of existing dwelling to ancillary outbuilding.

212203

48 Rose Street, Wokingham

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed like for like replacement of external doors and windows.

Shepperlands Cottage, Park Lane, Finchampstead

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension with roof accommodation, following demolition of existing rear extension, for a Grade II listed building.

212392

212393

212431

212461

Shepperlands Cottage, Park Lane, Finchampstead

Mavis Cottage 93, High Street

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application for Listed Building Consent for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension with roof accommodation, following demolition of existing rear extension, for a Grade II listed building. Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension, part demolition of rear/side wall to reposition side gate, repositioning of existing garden steps, plus the insertion of 2 no. rooflights and changes to fenestration to a Grade II listed building. Application for listed building consent for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension, part demolition of rear/side wall to reposition side gate, repositioning of existing garden steps, plus the insertion of 2 no. rooflights and changes to fenestration to a Grade II* listed building.

212539

1 Arborfield Court, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension to create a timber and double-glazed garden room.

212540

1 Arborfield Court, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application for the listed building consent for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension to create a timber and doubleglazed garden room.

212556

36 And 39-48 Grovelands Park, Winnersh

Major Application

Application to vary condition 5 of planning consent 203439 for the full application for the proposed removal of 12 no. existing mobile homes and the erection of 11 no. two storey pre-fabricated temporary accommodation units consisting of one selfcontained two- bedroom housing unit per floor (plots 39-48) and 1 no. single storey mobile house (plot 36). Condition 5 refers to Drainage details and the variation is to implement the revised drainage strategy.

212566

Ducks Nest Farm, Eversley Road, Arborfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension with the insertion of 2 no. rooflights, following demolition of existing rear extension.

212567

Ducks Nest Farm, Eversley Road, Arborfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension with the insertion of 2 no. rooflights, following demolition of existing rear extension.

The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. Comments on the application can be made online from this web page. Any comments must arrive on or before the 19th August 2021. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses. Date: 5th August 2021

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ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (SANDFORD LANE, HURST) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 29th July 2021 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: Sandford Lane, Hurst between its junctions with B3030 Davis Street and Colemansmoor Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robinhood Lane, A329 Reading Road, A3290 Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, The Bader Way and Mohawk Way or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place on 13th August 2021 between 09:30 and 15:30. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow BT contractors to undertake cabling works on the overhead network in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 13th August 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 5th August 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL LICENSING ACT 2003 S17 APPLICATION FOR PREMISES LICENCE

NEWSPAPER NOTICE DJ Squire and Co, Ltd of Squires Garden Centres, Heathlands Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AS proposes to carry on the following licensable activities at the above premises: To sell a range of alcoholic products by way of on and off sales in the garden centre food hall and restaurant:Monday to Sunday 0800 - 2100. To play live or recorded music occasionally within those hours in support of promotional activity Representations may be made in writing by any responsible authority or interested party in the vicinity of the premises to the licensing authority - Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, POB 155. Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WW or by email to licensing@wokingham.gov.uk All representations made are open to public inspection. Representations to be made by : 25th August 2021. This application has been made to the Licensing Team at Wokingham Borough Council where a register of applications is kept and a record of the application may be inspected. Contact 01635 519 184 or www.wokingham.gov.uk Under S158 of the above act, a person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale Dated: 5th August 2021

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ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (VARIOUS ROADS, EARLEY, SINDLESHAM AND HURST) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. Mill Lane, Earley and Sindlesham between its junctions with B3270 Lower Earley Way and B3030 Mole Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3270 Lower Earley Way North, Hatch Farm Way, B3030 King Street Lane and B3030 Mole Road or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 23rd August and 27th August 2021. 2. Sandford Lane, Hurst between its junctions with B3030 Davis Street and Mohawk Way. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robinhood Lane, A329 Reading Road, A3290 Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, The Bader Way and Mohawk Way or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 31st August and 3rd September 2021. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake annual routine bridge maintenance work in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 23rd August 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 5th August 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

WELL BEING

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WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL LICENSING ACT 2003 S17 APPLICATION FOR PREMISES LICENCE

NEWSPAPER NOTICE Beyond The Download LTD of 5 Rose Street, Wokingham, RG40 1XS proposes to carry on the following licensable activities at the above premises: Sale of alcohol on and off the premises for consumption. Performance of Live and recorded music Monday to Sunday 10am - 10pm. Representations may be made in writing by any responsible authority or interested party in the vicinity of the premises to the licensing authority - Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, POB 155, Shute End, Wokingham, RG401WW or by email to licensing@wokingham.gov.uk All representations made are open to public inspection

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Representations to be made by : 31st August 2021 This application has been made to the Licensing Team at Wokingham Borough Council where a register of applications is kept and a record of the application may be inspected. Contact 0118 974 6358 or www.wokingham.gov.uk

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FERNANDO FIRES CENTURY BUT FINCH HELD TO DRAW

Under S158 of the above act, a person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale Dated: 4th August 2021

JOB VACANCY

Finchampstead had to settle for a draw in Home Counties Division One against Thame Town Pictures: Steve Smyth

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Home Counties Division One FINCHAMPSTEAD posted a big total but were held to a draw at home against Thame Town. Madhawa Fernando batted a memorable innings as he scored 101, while Zac Leonard contributed with 78 to see Finch total 266 from 63 overs. Lewis Sharp was clinical with the ball with 4-36, while Fernando followed up his superb batting display by adding three wickets. With their opponents on 115-9, Finch had to settle for a draw but added 16 points to the board.

BCL Premier Division CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD maintained their spot in second after they earned 35 points in their win over Woodcote. Crows put Woodcote into bat first and bowled their opponents all out for 138 after 37.3 overs. Crows lost opening batsman Nick Outram for a duck, but Julian O’Loughlin batted a fine innings as he top scored with 74 to help his team to a comfortable victory. Crows surpassed the target after 34.5 overs to secure a six-wicket win. FARLEY HILL stormed to a huge 188-run triumph over Sandhurst to put 37 points on the board. The opening pair of David Drury

(114) and Michael Sheridan (43) built a sizeable platform to build upon for Farley. Ali Jalil added 43 as they finished their 40 overs with a total of 232. An exceptional bowling and fielding display from Farley saw them remove their opponents all out for 44 after 17.5 overs. James Smart collected four wickets, while Richard Pilkington added three to contribute to a convincing victory. WOODLEY added 33 points to their tally with a five-wicket win over Goring on Thames. Arshad Mohamed and Chris Keppel both took three wickets for Woodley as they skittled Goring all out for 94. Shamil Nlamdeen top scored with 30 as Woodley chased the target down within 16.1 overs.

BCL Division One WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE are in second after they defeated WOODLEY by eight wickets. Woodley hit a first innings total of 163 as Uday Singh scored 41. George Zadrozny was in stunning form with the ball for Waltham as he collected five wickets, while Sana Khan took three. The opening pair of Ankish Gandhi (84) and Rehan Siddiqui (61) put Waltham well on their way to victory as they chased the total down after 19.4 overs. SHINFIELD 2s are in third after they got the better of West Reading 2s by 81 runs.

Santosh Kundar smashed a century for Shinfield, while Saksham Tyagi hit a half century to put their team on 222 from 35 overs. Agasthya Kumar earned a five wicket haul to help bowl West Reading all out for 141. EARLEY defeated FARLEY HILL 2s by eight wickets to collect 31 points. Farley batted first and posted 129 on the board as Duncan Greeff top scored with 26. But Earley batted confidently to chase down the target as Vinod Aduri hit 38.

Chilterns Division One EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 1s were awarded 18 points as their fixture against Ruislip Victoria was abandoned. The Bears posted 152-8 from 39 overs as Richard Cole hit 30. Their opponents were on 78-5 from 20.5 overs when the match was stopped for rain.

Home Counties Division Two WOKINGHAM added 25 points to their tally with a four-wicket triumph over Slough.

Thames Valley Division 2B EVERSLEY are at the summit after they defeated Fleet by five wickets. Tom Magowan took plenty of wickets and ended with bowling figures of 4-31, and Eversley chased down the target within 33 overs as Oli Parsons struck a half century.

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www.trademarkwindows.co.uk RESULTS Saturday, July 31 FOOTBALL Pre-season friendlies Reading 1-3 Crystal Palace Ascot United 1-3 Binfield Sumas 3-3 Frimley Green Wallingford Town 2-2 Woodley United Camberley Town 0-2 Eversley & California CRICKET BCM Championship Littlewick Green A-A Shinfield BCL Premier Division Crowthorne & Crown Wood (139-4) beat Woodcote (138 all out) Farley Hill (232-4) beat Sandhurst (44 all out) Woodley (96-5) beat Goring on Thames (94 all out)

FIXTURES Saturday, August 7 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Stoke City v Reading FA Cup Easington Sports v Sumas Combined Counties Division One Bedfont & Feltham v Woodley United Cove v Berks County Eversley & California v London Samurai Rovers Pre-season friendly Binfield v Hashtag United CRICKET BCM Championship Shinfield v Ballinger Waggoners

BCL Division One Earley (132-2) beat Farley Hill 2s (129-9) Waltham St Lawrence (164-2) beat Woodley 2s (163 all out) West Reading 2s (141-8) lost to Shinfield 2s (222-5)

BCL Premier Division Goring on Thames v Farley Hill Mortimer West End v Woodley Stratfield Turgis/Hartley Wespall v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Woodcote v Twyford and Ruscombe

Chilterns Division One Emmbrook and Bearwood (152-8) beat Ruislip Victoria (78-5) Chilterns Division Two Holyport 2s A-A Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s

BCL Division One Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v West Reading 2s Farley Hill 2s v Peppard Stoke Row 2s Shinfield 2s v Waltham St Lawrence Woodley 2s v Earley

Home Counties Division One Finchampstead (266-6) drew Thame Town (115-9)

Chilterns Division One Holyport v Emmbrook and Bearwood

Home Counties Division Two Wokingham (111-6) beat Slough (110 all out)

Chilterns Division Two Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Knotty Green 3s

FOOTBALL

Thames Valley Division 2B Eversley (154-5) beat Fleet (152 all out)

Home Counties Division One High Wycombe v Finchampstead

ROYALS WOMEN ADD ROSE TO SQUAD

Thames Valley Division 6B Fleet 2s (130 all out) lost to Sonning 2s (201-7dec)

Home Counties Division Two Wargrave v Wokingham

READING FC

READING REVEAL FANS MURAL AHEAD OF 150TH ANNIVERSARY READING FC has revealed a mural of their fans outside the Select Car Leasing Stadium ahead of their 150th anniversary as a club.

The mural depicts Royals fans

READING FC Women have bolstered their squad with the addition of Canadian international Deanne Rose.

The midfielder, who is currently representing Canada at the Tokyo Olympics, is the fifth signing of the summer for Kelly Chambers’ team as they prepare for a new season in the Women’s Super League. Rose has an impressive scoring

cheering on their side as the club enters a historic year in its long history. There is also a familiar face in the middle of the mural: former

record for her previous club, Florida Gators, where she scored 19 times in 51 appearances from midfield. She made her international debut at just 16 in December 2015, and now aged 22, she has a wealth of experience under her belt with more than 50 caps for Canada. “I am extremely excited to bring Deanne to Reading,” said manager Kelly Chambers.

manager Brian McDermott holding the Championship trophy aloft after the Royals achieved promotion in the 2011/12 season after winning the league.

“Deanne is a player with so much raw ability and will bring something completely different to my team. “At the age of 22, she already has over 50 caps for Canada, which is very impressive and it shows you the ability of the player we’ve secured.

The club are set to unveil more parts to the mural in due course. The Royals begin their Championship season on Saturday away against Stoke City.

“Deanne is extremely ambitious, and is a player that wants to take her game to the next level. “She has the drive and determination to want to be the best, and I am so excited to work with her to support her ambitions alongside pushing the team to the next level.”

BOWLS

BOARS ANNOUNCE NEW RESERVES MANAGER

WOKINGHAM FALL SHORT AT MAIDEN ERLEGH

Barnes will help to coach the reserves team alongside manager Antonio Di-Lullo who compete in the Suburban

League Central Division. The club said: “Bob brings plenty of experience to the club after playing and coaching semipro football across the UK.” The Boars

development side faced Camberley Town in their most recent preseason match, where they were defeated 3-2 in a close contest.

THE Wokingham Kennet League B team were short of several regular players for their visit to Maiden Erlegh on Tuesday, July 27.

Thames Valley Division 8A Eversley 4s (123-8) lost to Aldershot 3s (189-4) Wokingham 5s (75-3) beat Bracknell 2s (113 all out) Thames Valley Division 9A Sonning 3s (201-6) beat Wargrave 4s (23 all out)

FOOTBALL

EVERSLEY & California have announced that Bob Barnes has joined theBoars as assistant manager of their reserves team.

Thames Valley Division 7A Eversley 3s (207-7) beat Cove (106-7) Binfield (149 all out) beat Newbury 2s (82-6)

The "patched up" team put up a brave fight against their opponents but were eventually beaten on all rinks and the hosts picked up all 14 points.

Thames Valley Division 10A Kidmore End 4s (203 all out) beat Eversley 5s (128-8) Sonning 4s (62 all out) lost to Reading 4s (63-2)

Thames Valley Division 2B Wokingham 2s v Thatcham Town Finchampstead 2s v Hurst Bagshot v Binfield Reading v Eversley Thames Valley Division 3A Cove 2s v Sonning White Waltham v Boyne Hill 2s Finchampstead 3s v Aldershot Thames Valley Division 4A Falkland 2s v Wargrave 2s Eversley 2s v Bagshot 2s Wokingham 3s v Theale & Tilehurst Thames Valley Division 6A Wargrave 3s v Windsor 2s Thames Valley Division 7A Binfield 3s v Wokingham 4s Eversley 3s v Reading 3s Thames Valley Division 8A Aldershot 3s v Finchampstead 5s

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FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

RUGBY UNION

RAMS GEAR UP FOR PRE-SEASON

SUMAS SHARE SIX WITH FRIMLEY

Rams coach Paddy Conlon

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

FORMER prop and current coach Paddy Conlon is relishing the return of proper rugby as the Senior Squad gear up for next month’s pre-season ahead of the National One campaign.

The boys have been back in training since the start of July and with the focus now intensifying on the the games against Cinderford, Henley, Dings Crusaders and Barnes in August, Conlon explained how things have been going to date. He said: “It’s good and it’s been commented on before that the guys have kept themselves in pretty good knick and I think to a man, since we’ve come back after the month we had off, they’re really getting into it and progressing. “The intensity is raising and things will keep getting more interesting as we go into the season. “I just want to see these boys play – they’ve been in the gym and they love it, but after a couple of weeks back in training, I just step back and think they’re looking sharp. “You’ve got Harry (Stapleton’s) skills sessions and Danny (Batty’s) defence ones and they’re spot on. For now it’s just a case of fine-tuning and if we can get our unstructured attack,

heads-up play, going, it’s going to be a very exciting season.” The squad have been boosted by the news the season ahead should be played under the full laws of the game, following last season’s adapted play – which involved no scrums or mauls – introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reflecting on the return of the set piece, Conlon commented: “It’s quite a defining part of the game for a lot of people and helps keep its identity. It was great playing some kind of rugby before, but the scrums can be something of a benchmark for a team and it’s like a line in the sand. “If you can be dominant it saps the energy from the opposition forwards – it’s a massive physical and mental thing – and that’s our aim by September 4. “The roar when (Director of Rugby) Seb (Reynolds) announced it was huge and you could see, particularly from the front five, the smiles on their faces and knowing they’re now getting back to proper rugby.” He continued: “Scrummaging is hard work, there’s no doubt about it, but we have our fundamentals as a club which have worked previously and I know (forwards coach) Owen (Root’s) got ideas about how to develop that further.”

Wokingham & Emmbrook drew 3-3 in their final friendly against Frimley Green Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

By ANDY PRESTON sport@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK and Frimley Green shared six goals in the Sumas’ final pre-season friendly before their campaign kicks off next weekend.

The Sumas return to competitive action on Saturday as they face an away trip to Easington Sports in the FA Cup extra preliminary round. BINFIELD took a 3-1 win over Ascot United as they step up

preparations towards a new league season in the Isthmian League. The Moles took a one-goal lead into the break as goalkeeper Chris Grace made a heroic save at the end of the half to preserve their advantage. Ascot equalised but Binfield hit back from the penalty spot as Ollie Harris slotted the visitors back in front. Callum Bunting netted the third Binfield goal of the afternoon to seal a triumph for Jamie McClurg

Eversley & California were victorious over Camberley Town Pictures: Richard Milam

and Carl Withers’ team. Binfield face Hashtag United in their next pre-season clash at Hill Farm Lane on Saturday. EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA finished their pre-season campaign with a victory over Camberley Town. The Boars took a victory and a clean sheet with a 2-0 triumph as they now look ahead to their first Combined Counties league fixture next Saturday at home to London Samurai Rovers.

Eversley & California manager Matty Angell said: “Pre-season all done and dusted. Been some great workouts for the squad against higher opposition throughout and I’m really pleased with the squad we have put together for the coming season. Time to see what we can achieve together.” WOODLEY UNITED were locked in a pre-season stalemate against Wallingford Town. On their travels, the Kestrels settled for a 2-2 draw.

SPORT | 37

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SUMAS SEEK TO ADD TO SQUAD

Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies FC Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK Ladies are still on the lookout for their players ahead of a new league season.

Reading FC Kit Launch Pictures: Jason Dawson Jasonpix.co.uk

FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

ROYALS RELEASE RETRO AWAY KIT By ANDY PRESTON sport@wokingham.today

READING FC have released their new away strip ahead of their 150th anniversary campaign, inspired by the 1988 Simod Cup winning side.

The striking yellow kit pays tribute to a famous day at Wembley Stadium for the club 33 years ago when they defeated Luton Town to win the Simod Cup. The historic 150th-anniversary shirt sees the same yellow colour

on the shirt, shorts and socks, supported by light and navy blue trim on the shirt. Meanwhile, the goalkeeper kit will be a traditional green colour on the shirt, shorts and socks. Reading’s men’s team begin their

new season this Saturday with an away trip to Stoke City, while the women’s side open their campaign away to Manchester United on Sunday, September 5 where they will sport the new kit throughout their respective seasons.

CRICKET

BERKS EARN FIRST WIN WITH EMPHATIC VICTORY OVER DORSET By DAVE WRIGHT sport@wokingham.today

BERKSHIRE recorded their first win of the season in National Counties Championship Western Division One by defeating Dorset by an emphatic 253 runs at Finchampstead this week.

They bowled out their visitors twice with all but three of the 20 wickets falling to spinners, with Euan Woods, Chris Peploe and Luke Beaven producing outstanding performances. Henley offspinner Woods enjoyed a particularly good match, taking 4-16 in the first innings 4-44 in the second for remarkable match figures of 48.1-28-60-8. On Sunday, the defending champions posted a very

respectable 301 all-out despite losing their first three wickets for 22 runs inside the opening 11 overs. However, Archie Carter and Dan Lincoln put on 98 for the next wicket before the latter fell for 59, while Carter's patient 291-minute stay at the crease came to an end when he was stumped for 64 and his Wokingham team-mate Andy Rishton contributed a sparkling 75. Stewart Davison continued the good work with 35 and the tailenders managed to push the total past the 300 mark. Dorset were left with 16 overs before close of play and soon lost openers Josh Digby and Oli Soames with debutant Lewis Sharp and Rishton the wicket takers. The visitors were 31-2 at the close and on Monday appeared to

be going along nicely when Luke Webb and Alex Eckland added 54 for their third wicket. But they then lost eight wickets for 17 as Peploe and Woods tied them in knots and they were dismissed for 86. Peploe had figures of 14-7-8-4 while Woods claimed 4-16 in 10 overs. Berkshire captain Richard Morris did not enforce the follow-on, but led from the front with 49 from 35 balls to help set up the declaration in the second innings. Rishton chipped in with 46 not out before Morris ended the innings at 207-8 in the 47th over, leaving Dorset with

an impossible-looking target of 423. Their batters offered a lot more resistance than they had in the first innings, lasting out for 103.1 overs with Sam Woodruff holding up Berkshire's winning charge with 59 in from 134 balls, but again they struggled to fend off the Berkshire spin attack and were all out for 169. This coming Sunday, holders Berkshire play Wales at Port Talbot in the semi-finals of the National Counties Trophy.

The Sumas, who compete in the Thames Valley Women’s Division One, are keen to add to their squad and are inviting any girls aged 16 and over to tryout for the team. They finished in

seventh position last campaign in their division where they compete alongside the likes of Eversley & California Ladies, Wagrave Women and Tilehurst Panthers Women Development. The team trains at Emmbrook School every Wednesday from 8pm-9.30pm. � Anyone interested should contact Becky at wefc_ladies@hotmail.com

FOOTBALL

ROYALS WOMEN FACE TOUGH START READING Women FC kick off their 2021/22 Women’s Super League campaign with an away trip to face Manchester United Women on Sunday, September 5.

In their sixth successive season in the top flight of women’s football, the Royals’ tough start to the season continues with a home fixture against Arsenal on Sunday, September 12 before another away visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, September 26. The Royals earned a stunning win away at United last season as they broke the Manchester’s clubs two-year unbeaten run at home with a 2-0 triumph after goals from Natasha Harding

and Danielle Carter. Kelly Chambers’ side were the only team to take victory away against the Red Devils in the entirety of last season’s league campaign. Other notable fixtures throughout the campaign sees Reading host current WSL champions Chelsea on Sunday, December 12 and that is followed by last season’s runners-up Manchester City, who they face away from home on Sunday, December 19. Reading’s final away trip of the season will be against Leicester City on Sunday, May 1 before they finish the season on home soil at the against Man City the following weekend.

38 | SPORT

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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

10-MAN EAGLES TOO STR READING 1

CRYSTAL PALACE 3 By ANDY PRESTON at the Select Car Leasing Stadium apreston@wokingham.today READING manager Veljko Paunović was left unhappy with his team’s performance after they fell to defeat to Premier League Crystal Palace.

Despite having a one man advantage after Cheikhou Kouyaté’s red card for Palace, the Royals were beaten 3-1 by Patrick’s Vieira’s side in their final pre-season clash before the start of the 2021/22 Championship season. “It was a good rehearsal for us to play against 10 players, but what we found out is that we weren’t ready for that and we failed,” said Paunović. “I wasn’t happy with our performance and many things, but it’s pre-season and it’s better to happen now than when the season starts. “We will learn from this and address it but we have to remain positive because so far we’ve done a very good job and done a lot of good things in pre-season, building our fitness towards the season. “We know how tough the Championship is but we’ll remain with those positives and look to improve this week for Saturday.” Reading lined up for their final pre-season friendly before their 2021/22 Championship campaign kicks off with an away trip to Stoke City next Saturday. Lucas João, George Pușcaș, Tom McIntyre and Liam Moore all returned for their first taste of action since last campaign in a Reading shirt. Moore showed his defensive nous as he made a vital interception to prevent Mateta from getting into the box in the opening minutes. John Swift then surrendered possession in a dangerous position as Palace looked to pounce with James McArthur, but his loose first touch allowed Reading to recover. Lively forward Mateta looked to cause Reading more problems as he drove upfield and played the ball out wide to Jordan Ayew who unleashed a powerful effort at goal from a narrow angle that Rafael Cabral beat away. Josh Laurent showed his typical tenacious nature in the midfield as he won two big tackles before Swift won the Royals a free kick. Swift took the resulting set-piece and aimed to find the big frame of Lucas João in the box, but Kouyaté cleared the ball away with his head. Kouyate was at the heart of the action again when he tussled for the ball with João but fouled the

Andy Yiadom drives forward

Reading midfielder Josh Laurent slides in to take the ball away from Crystal Palace forward And

Tom McIntyre

Kadheem Harris blocks the path of McArthur

Reading forward which resulted in another promising set-piece position. Kouyate amended for his error by winning another aerial duel as Ovie Ejaira hit the bouncing ball on the rebound into a crowd of Palace bodies. The game took a dramatic twist in the 31st minute when Palace were reduced to 10 men as Kouyate was shown a red card A loose pass from Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita saw Ejaria pounce on the ball, and as he looked to poke the ball past the last defender Kouyate, he was brought down by a dangerous tackle which saw the Eagles man dismissed. Ejaria looked to provide the Royals' best threat in forward areas as he feinted to shoot, which saw him breeze past his defender but he curled his effort wide of the post. Josh Laurent then went closest to gifting Paunović's side the lead just before the break as he cut onto his right foot from outside the box and was inches away from picking out the top right hand corner. The Reading boss made one change at half-time as Ethan

Joel Ward strikes the post for Palace

Bristow replaced Dejan Tetek. The second-half began in a lively fashion as substitute Bristow tested the gloves of Guaita with a strong drive which the keeper tipped over the bar. Tom McIntyre gave the ball away cheaply in his own half as Palace looked to pounce on the break but Michael Morrison chopped down Ayew with a cynical challenge that saw him booked. Palace gave Reading a scare

Match stats READING: Rafael, Yiadom, McIntyre, Morrison, Moore, Tetek, Laurent, Ejaria, Swift, Azeez, João SUBS: Southwood, Bristow, Holmes, Dorsett, Camara, Trialist, Pușcaș, Ehibhatiomhan CRYSTAL PALACE: Guaita, Ward, Kouyate, Guehi, Mitchell, Riedewald, McArthur, Kirby, Ayew, Mateta, Street SUBS: Butland, Matthews, Kelly, Tomkins, Hannam, Clyne, Gallagher, Boateng, Rak-Sakyi, Wells-Morrison, Banks GOALS: Mateta 55' (pen), Swift 68', Ayew 81', Banks 90+2'

Guaita is beaten by John Swift’s deflected free kick

when a corner routine led to a strike from Joel Ward bouncing back off the post. Palace kept the ball alive with a ball into the back post and were awarded a penalty when Mateta was prevented from converting the ball from close range. The Palace striker stepped up to take responsibility and calmly slotted the ball past Rafael, despite the Royals keeper diving the correct way. The hosts made a double switch after falling behind as João and Ejaria were replaced by Pușcaș and trialist, Kadheem Harris. The hosts pressed to find an equaliser and they were rewarded with a stroke of good fortune in the 68th minute when Swift's free-kick took a deflection off the wall to divert away from Guaita and hit the back of the net. Palace retook the lead with 10 minutes to go as Ayew drove at the Reading defence and his shot took a deflection to fly past Rafael. The away side finished with a flourish and added a third goal with the final kick of the match as Banks expertly picked out the top corner with a free-kick

Lucas Joao rises high to compete for the ball

SPORT | 39

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RONG FOR ROYALS

From The Tilehurst End Adam Jones

Contracts: Time to seal the deal

I Lucas João holds off the challenge of James McArthur

Royals captain Liam Moore

dre Ayew Pictures: Steve Smyth

Banks scores a third for Palace with the final kick of the game

Reading players applaud the attending fans at the end of the match

Young forward Femi Azeez

Reading defender Michael Morrison

PREVIEW

ROYALS READY FOR CURTAIN RAISER AT STOKE � Continued from back page

Reading begin a brand new Championship campaign with an away trip to play Stoke City. The Royals missed out on the play-offs by one place last season in Veljko Paunović’s first season in charge, meanwhile Michael O’Neill led Stoke to a 14th place finish. Reading finished 10 points above Saturday’s opponents, however gained only one point against the Potters last season. Their meeting at the Madejski Stadium ended in a 3-0 win for the visitors who shocked the Royals with goals from Tyrese Campbell, Steven Fletcher and Jacob Brown. Meanwhile, when the teams met at the Bet 365 Stadium, where they will both open their Championship

campaigns this Saturday, the points were shared in a goalless draw. "Everyone will be motivated in front of their fans,” continued Paunović. “It will be a strong clash between two teams who want to have a good start. “We learned a lot about each other last season. "Everyone is in training and ready to pick from." The Reading boss admitted that the club must remain patient as they wait for guidance from the league to whether they can add to their current squad. “I would not say it’s been frustrating, we have to be patient. “We stay deliberate, calm and have to understand the urgency of creating depth in the team and

improving the squad. “I'm not surprised, I signed up for this. We are working towards solutions and I think that’s going in a good direction. “I approached it as an exciting but challenging project, armed with patience and courage and tools to work in this circumstance. “I can't give you another update, but we are working with the league, conversations are ongoing. “If we are allowed to do something, we have some trialists. “ Our short term goal is to start the season well, improve our depth, and complete our squad. “The clarity is what we are waiting for “We know the reason why we are in this situation and are trying to figure out how to get out of it.”

Reading boss Veljko Paunović

f Josh Laurent and Tom Holmes’ recent links to Nottingham Forest have taught us one thing - it’s the fact we need to tie down some of our key players to new contracts.

Understandably, Reading fans are looking forwards in desperation of some new signings after a slow summer at the Select Car Leasing Stadium thus far. They have every right to do so considering there are noticeable gaps the Royals need to plug before the transfer window shuts at the end of this month. But as well as looking ahead to possible new arrivals, Reading fans also need to take a look behind them at their existing squad, which is already threadbare as it is. Rafael Cabral, Andy Yiadom, Tom Holmes, Josh Laurent, Andy Rinomhota and John Swift’s current contracts all expire next summer, a frightening prospect for fans who have seen all of them play a vital role for the Royals at different points in the last few seasons. They can only sort out their futures in Berkshire by offering them new deals but with the EFL holding a tight grip over the club’s transfer dealings this summer, it’s currently unclear whether the Royals will be able to offer contracts to these players that will even be worth signing. Veljko Paunović’s side are yet to receive clarity on their transfer dealings this summer, let alone their contract situation. But in his press conference on Tuesday, the Reading manager did say the club are planning to get to work on extending players’ contracts in the next two or three months - a major boost for fans who are also concerned about the current situation. For me though, they should be getting to work on these new deals at the start of next month after completing any summer business and not wait any longer, unless this delay is due to the EFL halting progress on these extensions. In this case, the governing body needs to provide further clarification as soon as possible - because this is a dire situation. This isn’t just one or two key players who are out of contract in less than 12 months, this is a sizeable chunk of the first team. And even if the Berkshire side cash in on a few of these players now to avoid losing them for nothing, there are no guarantees the EFL will give the Royals more freedom to go out and find adequate replacements. So if the Reading board can get to work on these contracts without anyone else being able to intervene, this needs to be at the top of their to-do list as soon as the transfer window closes at the end of this month, not pushed back to the next ‘two or three months’. It’s not known whether the club’s financial situation has barred them from offering out several new deals. One thing is for certain though. The longterm future of Reading Football Club depends on their success in tying players down to extensions. And the clock is ticking.

BEST FOR CRICKET

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BEST FOR FOOTBALL

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FOOTBALL’S BACK!

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

due to various reasons,” said Paunović. “Obviously covid is the biggest issue we still have to Reading manager Veljko deal with. Paunović says the club have “We had outbreaks in had to deal with an unusual few weeks as they prepare for the Scotland and halfway through new Championship season – but pre-season we have had to work the team are buzzing for what with an incomplete squad lies ahead. which was difficult. “Adaptability plays a big part, The Royals face an away trip we’ve done well in that regard to Stoke City this Saturday for and we’ve recovered some their opening fixture. “It was a strange pre-season players from injury and international duty. ISSN 2634-8330 “We still need to improve 31 on the fitness side. Some of these reasons have seen us be not quite where was want to be. “But a week before we kick9 772634 833002 off, the buzz is different, Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 suddenly everyone turns on and Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Reach Watford © The

knows the expectation of what we have to do.” The Reading boss is excited for the team to once again play in front of fans, but says there will be a period of adaptation. “There will be adjustments back to the normal circumstances and we have to learn,” he continued. “In an empty stadium, you can communicate much easier. “We can prepare better before the things we have to communicate. “On the field, we want to cheer up our fans so there is a connection. “We have to show an attractive team with attractive football and compete.” � Continued on page 39

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